𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage have laid down the gauntlet to Andy Burnham over a general election following Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation.

The Conservative Party leader said a national vote should take place if the former Greater Manchester mayor is unable to fund the defence spending plan needed to protect Britain.

Meanwhile, Reform UK’s leader Nigel Farage demanded a general election “to fix broken Britain”.

Mr Burnham, who was sworn in as an MP on Monday afternoon, is expected to replace Sir Keir within weeks.

Mrs Badenoch said: “If Andy Burnham is not able to fund the defence investment plan, then we should have a general election.

“The reason why Keir Starmer has had to resign is because his defence secretary said he was not looking after national security.

“This is something which I’ve raised with Keir Starmer again and again. His hiring of Peter Mandelson put a national security risk in our most senior intelligence post. He’s not drilling our own oil and gas in the North Sea, relying on oil from elsewhere, from Russia even.

“Not funding a defence investment plan is a national security issue. If Andy Burnham doesn’t have any answers on national security, then we should have a general election now.”

She added: “We should have a general election if Andy Burnham is not able to set out how to keep our country safe.”

Mr Burnham appears on course to enter 10 Downing Street within weeks after Sir Keir quit as Labour leader.

The Prime Minister acknowledged he had lost the support of his MPs and promised an “orderly handover of power” to his successor in an emotional statement.

Mr Farage said: “If Labour thinks it can shove another professional politician into No 10, it has another thing coming.”

He added: “Reform demands an election, and we are ready to deliver radical change.”

Mr Burnham said it would be “jumping several hurdles ahead” to call a general election should he become the next prime minister.

As he arrived in London, Mr Burnham was asked about comments he made when Rishi Sunak became prime minister, when he called for a general election.

Asked if he would now call an election, the new Labour MP for Makerfield said: “You’re jumping several hurdles ahead there.”

The former mayor of Greater Manchester added that his “priority” for the day was to officially swear in as an MP, adding: “It’s been very kind of sad for me today to leave Greater Manchester. The people have been brilliant to me over the last few years. I’ve loved every minute of the role. I hope I leave Manchester in a better place.”

If Mr Burnham is the only candidate to receive the support needed to stand in the contest for the vacant Labour leadership, he could become prime minister in mid-July.

The new Labour MP’s chances of becoming the country’s next leader were boosted by Wes Streeting’s backing.

Mr Streeting quit the Cabinet in protest at Sir Keir’s leadership and had indicated he would be prepared to fire the starting gun on a contest to oust the Prime Minister if he did not voluntarily quit.

The former health secretary said he had spoken with Mr Burnham “at length” and concluded he could “win the fight of our lives against the forces of nationalism”.

He added: “We could spend the summer exaggerating small differences, or we can roll up our sleeves and help him to deliver the change our party and our country needs.”

Sir Keir’s statement followed a weekend spent mulling his future with his family at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country residence.