See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 10:36 BST, 16 July 2026 | Updated: 10:50 BST, 16 July 2026
Three in five Brits believe Andy Burnham should call a general election within his first year as prime minister in order to secure his own mandate from the public.A Savanta poll revealed 61 per cent think Mr Burnham, who is set to replace Keir Starmer in Downing Street on Monday, should hold a national vote within 12 months.This compared to less than one in five (17 per cent) who thought Mr Burnham shouldn't call a general election in his first year as PM.It comes amid growing questions over Mr Burnham's mandate to lead the country, as he's not faced a public vote and given little detail over his plans for power.The former Greater Manchester mayor has spoken only once in the House of Commons since returning to Parliament as the new Makerfield MP.He also exited a major speech at the end of last month without taking questions from the media, instead opting to selectively answer 'softball' questions on website Reddit.Mr Burnham only spoke in vague terms about what he might do when he enters No10 during a light-hearted chat with ex-footballer Gary Lineker this week.He is set to replace Sir Keir as PM on 20 July without facing a vote of Labour's wider membership, after he secured the support of 94 per cent of the party's MPs.
