News Thump on Andy Burnham changing his mind ...

The satirical website NewsThump has a piece supposedly by Andy Burnham on why he has chaned his mind about having a general election when the PM changes ...

You can read it at

Why I’ve changed my mind about having general elections when Prime Ministers resign, now that I’m next in line – by Andy Burnham – NewsThump

but here are some extracts:


"Why I’ve changed my mind about having general elections when Prime Ministers resign, now that I’m next in line" – by Andy Burnham












Back in October 2022, when Liz Truss resigned after roughly the shelf-life of an avocado, I joined many sensible people in calling for an immediate general election. In fact, I was so convinced that the British public deserved a say in who governed them that I even tweeted “#GeneralElectionNow”. A bold stance, and one I stand by completely.

Well, mostly.

Obviously, circumstances have changed. Specifically, the circumstances have changed to me being the person who is about to become Prime Minister.

When I demanded a general election after Liz Truss resigned, I was motivated by a deep and sincere belief in democracy. Today, I am motivated by a deep and sincere belief in not accidentally becoming the leader of the opposition opposite Nigel Farage. These are both noble principles, but only one of them allows me to move into Number 10 next month.


Some people have suggested there is a contradiction between my position then, and my position now. However, these people fail to understand an important constitutional principle: when the other lot do it, it is an outrage. When our lot do it, it represents important continuity.

Besides, Britain does not elect prime ministers. We elect MPs. This is an argument I have recently discovered and have immediately become extremely passionate about.

Yes, I appreciate that I spent years implying the exact opposite whenever it was politically convenient, but growth requires moral flexibility.


And let’s be honest. If every politician were expected to maintain exactly the same principles regardless of whether they personally benefited from them, Westminster would grind to a halt within minutes.

So, while I remain fully committed to democracy, accountability and giving voters a voice, I also believe the country needs stability at this difficult time.

Which is why the public should wait patiently until I’ve had at least a couple of years enjoying the job before deciding whether they wanted me to have it in the first place."

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