Andy Burnham could decide to call an early general election before Christmas, the country’s top union official has told GB News.
TUC general secretary Paul Nowak told Chopper’s Political Podcast that the Prime Minister could decide to trigger a shock snap election after he publishes his 10-year plan later this autumn.
Mr Nowak told GB News: “I don’t think that the public are battering down Andy Burnham’s door in Downing Street, saying, ‘Let’s have a general election’. We’ve got to get through the first budget.
“Let’s see Andy’s 10-year plan. He might decide, actually, ‘I’ve not got enough room within the manifesto to deliver the change that I think we need to see.'”
Mr Nowak was speaking to GB News ahead of the TUC conference this weekend in Brighton.
The Prime Minister, who worked for the Transport and General Workers’ Union in the 1990s, is expected to address delegates next week.
Mr Burnham told MPs in the House of Commons last week: “Later in the year, our 10-year plan for Britain will set out plans for stronger public control over these essentials, making them work for people and places again.”
The Prime Minister has consistently rejected the suggestion he is preparing to call a snap election.
TUC general secretary Paul Nowak also discussed the prospect of working with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage
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GB NEWS
Speaking in early July, Mr Burnham said: “No. As I said in my speech on Monday, I’m going to work to the 2024 manifesto.”
“I’m going to rule it out… I don’t think people want it,” Mr Burnham added in August.
However, a change in Labour leader has resulted in a shift in the opinion polls, with Labour jumping into first place while support for Reform UK slumps.
Support for Labour, which fell to just 16 per cent earlier this year, now stands at 24 per cent.
Andy Burnham saw off the threat from the Greens and Reform UK in Makerfield | GETTY
Meanwhile, scandals and investigations into Reform UK have coincided with support dropping from 30 per cent to 23 per cent.
The Makerfield MP has maintained a friendly relationship with Britain’s biggest trade unions throughout his long political career.
The Prime Minister pocketed £20,000 from Unison, the Communications Workers Union, and the Fire Brigades Union before entering No10 on July 20.
Meanwhile, Mr Burnham also declared £160,000 from Lord Sainsbury, £35,000 from former adviser Sacha Lord, and £25,000 from longstanding Labour donor Gary Lubner.
Nigel Farage’s support in the opinion polls has dropped during 2026
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PAMr Nowak’s comments about a snap election also came after the TUC chief admitted he was “angry” about the state of Labour under Sir Keir Starmer.
He warned that there was an “overwhelming sense of frustration” among trade unions and working-class voters and welcomed Mr Burnham’s return to Westminster following the Makerfield by-election.
However, Mr Nowak also told GB News that the TUC would need to work with Nigel Farage if he becomes Prime Minister.
Asked by GB News if he could work with a Reform Government, Mr Nowak said: “I think it would be really difficult.
Christopher Hope interviewed Paul Nowak ahead of the TUC conference in Brighton
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GB NEWS
“But our job is to work with whoever is in Government. And we’ve got a practical test of this now, haven’t we?
“Reform do run 22 local councils up and down the country and they employ tens of thousands of workers.”
He added: “Unions in those local authorities will definitely be meeting with Reform councillors.
“That’s what they’ve got to do. They’ve got to represent their members, but we’ve still got to call them out when we think they’re getting it wrong.”
“Reform do run 22 local councils up and down the country and they employ tens of thousands of workers.”