Andy Burnham, Labour’s prospective leader, has ruled out calling an early general election and expressed support for electoral reform during a Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on Saturday. Speaking shortly before he is expected to assume office later this month, Burnham rejected the idea of seeking a snap election, insisting he would instead focus on advancing the party’s agenda through the 2024 manifesto.

Burnham emphasized his commitment to proportional representation, describing it as a way to foster more collaborative politics that prioritize problem-solving over partisan point-scoring. He indicated plans to advocate for the inclusion of proportional representation in Labour’s next manifesto, marking a departure from the current Labour platform that centers on extending voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds and reforming the House of Lords.

On foreign policy, Burnham affirmed his unwavering support for Ukraine, pledging to back the country “100 per cent” amid ongoing international tensions. Regarding trade relations with the European Union, he acknowledged room for improvement beyond the existing agreement and expressed intent to build on the government’s groundwork toward a more ambitious trade deal.

Burnham also addressed defence spending, promising to ensure full funding for the recently published defence investment plan. The blueprint’s release earlier in the week had sparked controversy, culminating in the resignation of John Healey as defence secretary, highlighting the sensitivity surrounding defence priorities.

During the AMA, Burnham responded to a direct challenge from Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, who criticized his limited media engagement and urged him to hold a traditional press conference. Burnham acknowledged the critique as fair but highlighted his recent interaction with 74,000 voters during the Makerfield by-election campaign, saying this extensive engagement had provided ample scrutiny. To date, he has given only one interview, to LBC radio.

As he prepares to potentially take office by July 20, Burnham’s limited public exposure on policy details has drawn attention, but his remarks during the AMA provide insight into key priorities he aims to pursue if he becomes prime minister.