Prime Minister Andy Burnham has dismissed speculation about calling a snap general election, amid recent polls indicating that Labour would lose its parliamentary majority if the vote were held prematurely. The decision comes just before Labour’s annual conference, scheduled to begin in Liverpool, which the prime minister and his team appear keen to focus on without the distraction of an early poll.

Burnham, who assumed office following a contentious leadership change earlier this year, had been reported to be considering an early election to solidify his mandate. However, multiple recent opinion surveys suggest that Labour’s standing has not improved sufficiently under his leadership. Notably, several Cabinet members, including Ed Miliband, Yvette Cooper, and John Healey, are projected to lose their seats to the Reform Party in the event of a snap election.

In interviews broadcast on the evening prior to the conference, Burnham sought to quell expectations of an early poll. While initially leaving some room for discretion, he later stated unequivocally that the next general election would take place in 2029, warning that an early vote could be perceived as politically self-serving. “I can knock that early election speculation on the head,” he told ITV, adding that the public expects him to focus on governance rather than electoral maneuvering.

The prime minister’s reversal has drawn criticism from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who described him as “a gambler who folded.” Badenoch compared Burnham’s retreat to former Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s 2007 decision to abandon a snap election amid unfavorable polling, a move that damaged Brown’s credibility.

Burnham’s leadership has been characterized by a perceived lack of mandate, stemming from his rise to power after orchestrating a leadership coup and winning the Makerfield by-election with the support of merely 0.05 percent of the electorate. Supporters argue that he requires a fresh mandate to implement ambitious reforms that extend beyond Labour’s existing manifesto.

Despite a modest uptick in polling figures since Burnham took office, Labour faces the prospect of losing dozens of seats in a hypothetical snap election. A recent YouGov poll projected Labour as the largest party but far short of a majority, with 241 seats compared to 130 for the Conservatives and 123 for Reform. Under these circumstances, Burnham would potentially have to negotiate a coalition among Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens, and nationalist parties.

Looking ahead to the party conference, Burnham intends to present detailed policy proposals rather than launching an election campaign. Among his priorities is advancing plans to nationalize the water industry, describing the current system as “nowhere near good enough.” Speaking to BBC South, he acknowledged the challenges faced by the publicly controlled Southwestern Rail franchise but expressed confidence that public ownership would improve service.

The prime minister also indicated forthcoming measures aimed at alleviating the cost of living in the UK over the longer term. Addressing questions about Labour’s recent increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions, Burnham admitted that the move has put pressure on businesses but stopped short of committing to reversing it, emphasizing the need to balance fiscal responsibility with economic growth. “The country is in a challenging position when it comes to finance,” he said, highlighting the imperative to stimulate growth.