Burnham rules out an early general election in first BBC interview as prime minister

Andy Burnham has ruled out calling an early general election, saying in his first BBC interview as prime minister that he intends to carry out the programme voters backed. Speaking to Laura Kuenssberg, he said people had voted for a manifesto and that he would honour it.

The remarks came as Burnham began setting out his approach after taking office, with his government already moving on a series of early policy announcements. Those included measures on transport, energy bills and support for smaller venues, according to the Guardian.

The new cabinet has also drawn attention for its social and educational background, with the Guardian noting that some senior figures attended elite schools and Oxford, while others came from more modest circumstances. One example highlighted was Kanishka Narayan, the new minister for AI, who was born in Bihar, moved to Cardiff as a child and later won a scholarship to Eton.

Burnham’s first week in office has also included a visit to Manchester, where he has said he wants to spend time at a new No 10 North base. The move is part of his wider plan to shift more power away from London, according to his government.