Politics · United Kingdom · 1 day ago
Tories and Reform prepare for possible snap election before Christmas
Conservative and Reform UK strategists are preparing for the possibility of a UK general election before Christmas.
They think Labour figure Andy Burnham may call a snap election while his party is doing well in the polls and other parties on the left are struggling.
Burnham said before a recent Labour conference that he was ruling out an early election, but Conservative figures say they do not trust that assurance.
The Conservatives have prepared a campaign plan, advanced candidate selections and drafted a manifesto that could be ready within two weeks.
Reform UK is also filling gaps in its senior team and plans to distribute a newspaper to 15 million households.
The party has received a reported £72 million donation from cryptocurrency billionaires, and a separate £5 million donation from Christopher Harborne is under investigation by Parliament’s standards commissioner.
No election date has been announced, and the story does not say that Burnham has decided to call one.
The Conservatives and Reform UK are preparing for a possible snap general election before Christmas.
The Conservatives have a campaign plan, a draft manifesto and advanced candidate selections, according to the Daily Mail.
Reform leader Nigel Farage is preparing to fill gaps in his front bench and launch an eight-page newspaper.
Both parties suspect Andy Burnham could call an election while enjoying a poll bounce and rival parties on the Left are in disarray.
Burnham said before his conference that he was ruling out a snap election, but Conservative and Reform sources doubt that assurance.
- Who
- The Conservative Party and Reform UK are preparing for a possible election; Andy Burnham is seen as the person who could call it.
- What
- The parties are preparing for a possible snap general election before Christmas.
- When
- It could be called as soon as December 2026.
- Where
- The United Kingdom.
- Why
- Both parties suspect Burnham may seek an election while enjoying a poll bounce and with rival parties on the Left in disarray.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
We were poised and ready to roll – and still are.
To those who say "unite the Right", we are not uniting with THAT.
Kemi's view is that Burnham said that the [pensions] triple lock was safe, then decided he would ditch it, and he has also changed his mind on Brexit. So why should we trust him on this?
give Burnham a chance
Andy Burnham gave a conference speech in Liverpool, and Conservative aides were prepared for him to call an election.
Election-planning meetings involving Conservative headquarters staff and the leader of the opposition's advisers have been taking place.
Farage celebrated a £72 million windfall from cryptocurrency billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne.
Kemi Badenoch used her Conservative conference speech to reject calls to unite the Right.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski failed to win the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.
- Possible election
- As soon as December 2026
- Conservative plan
- Draft manifesto could be polished and printed within a fortnight
- Reform newspaper
- Eight pages; planned distribution to 15 million households
- Reported donation windfall
- £72 million from Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne
- By-election
- Holborn and St Pancras
Sources
Related news
Burnham says Russia interfered in 2016 Brexit vote
Minister calls for banks to stop charging small businesses card fees
Burnham pledges to publish details of his dealings with Manchester City
Polanski vows to stay as Green leader after by-election loss and party row
UK prisoners face early release as official numbers remain unclear
Labour holds Starmer’s former London seat, defeating Green leader Zack Polanski
Labour plans to let migrants take citizenship tests from home
Government departments spent at least £5m on overseas worker visas
Iran war price rises complicate Healey’s first Budget, IFS warns
Man jailed for life after killing former partner days after early release
Conservatives call for review of defendants ruled unfit to plead
