// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Burnham rules out early general election in next 12 months
The prime minister was asked about speculation from the Tories and Reform UK
Andy Burnham has ruled out an early general election in the next 12 months, after opposition parties suggested one would be called.
The next UK general election must be held by August 2029, and there has been speculation that the prime minister is preparing for an earlier poll.
Asked directly if he would call a snap election within the next year, the prime minister told broadcasters: "I don't know how many times I've done this now but yes, I can rule out calling a general election in the next 12 months."
He said he was focusing on people over the Labour Party, adding: "I'm not thinking about myself. I'm not thinking about my own party and its prospects."
Earlier this month, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch suggested Burnham may go to the country early.
She said the Conservative Party was "coming back" after it slumped in popularity at the end of 14 years in government, telling BBC South East: "This is an era of political volatility and multi-party politics."
She added: "I do think Andy Burnham is going to call an election sooner than he is saying... all the policies he announced are for after an election."
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said in September he believed there would be an election "next spring".
"I believe there must be a general election because Andy Burnham has no mandate - the messiah without a mandate, we deserve a general election on who continues to govern this country."