Andy Burnham lets slip major clue Labour may be plotting early general election

Andy Burnham has let slip a major clue he may be planning an early general election as Labour rushes to abolish photo ID checks at polling stations.

The Prime Minister previously signalled he would avoid calling a new election, saying he would “draw a line” under the political divisions of recent years.

“No, no election any time soon… I’m focused on the job as Prime Minister, doing what I said I would do,” Mr Burnham said ahead of the Labour Party conference late last month.

However, No10 insiders later suggested there “might be a sweet spot for an early general election” in the coming months.

Government moves suggest plans for a new vote, with Labour “ramming through” reforms that would let voters use bank cards without photographs as valid ID at polling stations, The Sunday Telegraph reports.

Ministers have confirmed bank cards would need to show only the holder's initials, not their full first name, and would not need to display the owner's sex.

The proposals, contained in the Representation of the People Bill, would effectively dismantle the photo ID requirement the Conservatives introduced in 2023 to strengthen the integrity of elections.

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