Andy Burnham has been urged to “call a general election” by Richard Tice after being officially sworn in as the MP for Makerfield.
Speaking to GB News, the Deputy Leader of Reform UK called on the newest Labour MP to “set out his policies” after confirming his leadership bid.
Earlier today, Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation and set out a timetable for his Downing Street departure.
The outgoing Prime Minister declared that “every decision” he has taken “has been about putting the country I love first”.
He said: “When I leave the biggest job in the country, I shall spend more time on the most important job, being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad, and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and my joy.”
Reacting to Mr Burnham’s bid for No10, Mr Tice told GB News that “most Britons don’t know who he is”.
He said: “We said to voters at the May elections, vote Reform, get Starmer out, and that’s exactly what happened, he’s gone.
“Tens of millions of great British citizens are delighted, and the question now is when’s there going to be a general election, because who is Andy Burnham?”
Richard Tice has demanded Andy Burnham to call a general election if he becomes the Prime Minister
|
GB NEWS / PA
The Reform deputy leader accused Mr Burnham of “flip-flopping like a yo-yo” on key domestic policies.
He argued: “Most of the Labour Party in the House of Commons behind me don’t know who he is, the British people don’t know who he is, and I’m not sure he knows himself what his own policies are. He flip-flops around like a yo-yo.
“Is he for rejoining the EU or against it? Is he for stopping the boats or against? Is he for the Waspi women or against? He has no idea about any of this stuff.
“Is he for Net Zero or does he want lower energy bills? Lower cost of living? I think he needs to set out his policies and call a general election.”
The Makerfield MP was officially sworn in earlier today
|
POOL
Mr Tice predicted that the general election would result in a “two-horse race” between Mr Burnham and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
He told GB News: “The last thing that should happen is that he should adopt some form of hard socialist policies, raise taxes heavily in a November budget and expect it’s going to end well.
“He’ll be as unpopular as Keir Starmer by Christmas. If he’s so confident in his brilliance, let’s have a two-horse race between Andy Burnham and Nigel Farage and Reform. Marvellous, bring it on!”
Challenging Mr Tice, host Emily Carver argued that Mr Burnham’s by-election win and subsequent uncontested leadership challenge will be a “bad thing for democracy”, despite voting for Mr Burnham allegedly being encouraged by Reform.
Mr Tice told GB News that a general election would become a ‘two-horse race’ between Reform and Labour
|
GB NEWS
Mr Tice said: “No, it’s not good for democracy, that’s why we’re saying if you’ve got no mandate like that, if Andy Burnham believes in his own integrity, principles and consistency, given that four years ago he was tweeting out vigorously ‘general election now’ when the Tories were in leadership chaos, maybe he should do what he said others should do.
“Stick to his word, call a general election, because that’s what he was calling for four years ago. So, Mr Burnham, please be consistent, show the British people you stand by your word and let’s have a general election.”
He concluded that “only Reform” can “fix a broken Britain”.
He said: “Nigel Farage is the greatest communicator and political orator in this country, everybody knows and accepts that.
“And we’re not afraid of competition, we’re not afraid of an election. Our view is bring it on, Britain’s broken and only Reform can fix it.”