Kemi Badenoch has warned the Conservative Party to be prepared for a general election before Christmas, as speculation intensifies that Andy Burnham could call a snap poll.
The Opposition leader, who energised Tory members with her conference address in Birmingham, told The Mail on Sunday: “I’ve instructed the Conservative Party to be ready for an election at any point.”
Mrs Badenoch has dismissed Mr Burnham’s assertion last month that there would be “no election any time soon”. Her suspicion is that he could move while his party is benefiting from stronger polling and while the Green Party and Liberal Democrats are struggling.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski suffered a setback on Thursday after failing to take the Holborn and St Pancras seat in a by-election. He is also facing growing pressure over his leadership and the party’s anti-Israel activism. Green support has fallen by half this year, with most of the lost backing shifting to Labour.
Meanwhile, Sir Ed Davey is fighting to retain his position as Liberal Democrat leader. One of his MPs, Charlie Maynard, quit the front bench on Friday in what appeared to be an effort to trigger a leadership contest.
A senior Conservative source said: “We think the election will come sooner rather than later, possibly before the end of the year.”
Mrs Badenoch’s team was on alert during the Labour conference in case Mr Burnham used his speech to launch a contest. The Conservatives have held election planning meetings since July and already possess a draft manifesto, as well as a campaign “grid” setting out the constituencies Mrs Badenoch would visit and the public appearances she would make.
Speaking on Saturday night, Mrs Badenoch said: “We know there’s a battle of ideas coming in British politics and I’ve instructed the Conservative Party to be ready for an election at any point. When that election comes there will be a simple choice between Conservative plans to get Britain working again and a Labour party that keeps putting up taxes, refuses to cut welfare and won’t fund our defence.”
Kemi Badenoch has told the Conservatives to prepare for a possible pre-Christmas general election as speculation grows that Andy Burnham could call a snap poll
Green Party leader Zack Polanski faces leadership pressure after failing to win the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, amid controversy over anti-Israel activism
Mrs Badenoch’s strategists were encouraged by the reception to her Birmingham conference speech, where she signalled a return to traditional Conservative themes including lower taxes and wider home ownership. She also pledged to abolish inheritance tax on main residences as part of what she described as a “battle for the soul of the nation”.
Mr Burnham is not required to call an election until 2029. However, the left-wing measures outlined in his conference speech, including the creation of a national care service, would require tax increases that were ruled out in the 2024 manifesto.
The worsening economic outlook ahead of this month’s Budget has further exposed the challenge of balancing the books, particularly while Chancellor John Healey remains constrained by pledges on income tax, VAT and National Insurance.
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Plans to alter the pension triple lock, reverse Brexit and introduce electoral reform have also fuelled speculation that the prime minister may seek a personal mandate from voters at the ballot box.
As The Mail on Sunday reports, the Conservatives’ target voter has been dubbed “Waitrose Woman”. She is described as aspirational rather than necessarily wealthy, and as someone who wants to work hard, get ahead and pay less tax so she can keep more money in her pocket.
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK is also preparing for the possibility of an early election. The party has appointed a senior Armed Forces figure as its defence spokesman, with several other military figures expected to join. Defence spending is likely to be a major campaign issue.
Reform is additionally searching for a prominent health-policy specialist, alongside potential recruits from the private sector and public services.
Kemi Badenoch has rejected Andy Burnham’s claim that there will be “no election any time soon”, believing he could act while Labour enjoys stronger polling and rival parties remain divided
It was reported on Saturday that Mr Farage is launching an eight-page newspaper, The Reformer, which is expected to reach 15 million homes. The initiative is intended to ensure that his “message is heard by the masses”.
The publication will feature articles on Reform’s policies and opinion pieces by Mr Farage, who is undertaking a “general election tour” this month. He is visiting Red Wall constituencies where Reform hopes to unseat Labour MPs.
The latest polling suggests that if an election were to be held now, Labour would win 313 seats – down 99 on their 2024 performance – while the Conservatives would win 123 – up two – and Reform would get 95.
That would leave Labour just short of an overall majority, but could easily form a Government in coalition with the Liberal Democrats.
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