ANDY Burnham said it would be “jumping several hurdles ahead” to call a General Election as he arrived in London following Keir Starmer’s resignation.
The former Greater Manchester mayor arrived at Euston station and travelled on to Westminster to be sworn in as the MP for Makerfield.
He got to the English capital just hours after Starmer announced he would be stepping down as Prime Minister.
Burnham is seen as the frontrunner to succeed Starmer and appears likely to enjoy a coronation as the next prime minister after Wes Streeting rowed in behind him.
Unless any other MP can garner 81 nominations from among the Parliamentary Labour Party, Burnham will become the next prime minister unopposed.
As yet, opposition parties have mostly refrained from calling for a General Election with the exception of Reform UK.
Asked whether there should be an election, Burnham told reporters: “You’re jumping several hurdles ahead there.”
He added: It’s been very kind of sad for me today to leave Greater Manchester. The people have been brilliant to me over the last few years. I’ve loved every minute of the role. I hope I leave Manchester in a better place.”
Burnham would be entitled to claim delay repay after his train from Manchester was delayed by 21 minutes.
