‘No mandate whatsoever!’ Nigel Farage demands new General Election as he slams ‘flip-flopping’ Andy Burnham

Nigel Farage has demanded a new General Election as Andy Burnham appears set to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister.

Speaking to GB News, the Reform UK leader said the former Manchester Mayor has “no mandate whatsoever” to lead the country and accused him of “flip-flopping” on policies.

On Monday, Sir Keir announced his descsion to resign as Labour leader as Mr Burnham returned to Westminster following a thumping victory in the Makerfield by-election.

Mr Farage explained that despite the backing of Labour parliamentarians and leadership rivals such as Wes Streeting, the former Manchester Mayor would not have the consent of the British public.

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“If he does become Prime Minister, he'll do so with no mandate whatsoever. No mandate whatsoever,” the Reform UK leader stressed.

“I think the public are sick to death of the game of musical chairs that's going on in Downing Street and deserve a vote.”

Addressing his potential rival for No10 in such a hypothetical contest, Mr Farage hit out at the former Manchester Mayor.

“Remember Boris Johnson as Mayor of London, enormously popular. Andy Burnham as Mayor of Manchester, enormously popular. Why? Because mayors fulfil a civic role.

“They cut ribbons, they host visiting film stars. Politicians have to take positions.

“We, at the moment, have almost no idea where this man stands on anything.

“He's flipped and flopped in the last month more than Keir Starmer has in the last two years.

”To that end, the Reform UK leader called on other Labour figures to challenge Mr Burnham for the top job.

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“I'm hoping that Al Carns or someone like that stands against him so that, over the course of a summer, we can actually see what he stands for.

“At the moment, we haven't got a clue,” Mr Farage reiterated.

Looking ahead to a General Election, the Clacton MP said his party was “ready-ish” for the fight.

“We've got a couple of thousand candidates that have been going through the process for the last number of months.

“We can be ready very, very quickly,” he pledged.

Taking on another rival, Mr Farage claimed Kemi Badenoch’s Conservative Party would be keen to avoid an election.

Yesterday, Mrs Badenoch said Mr Burnham should call an election if he was unable to fund the long-delayed and troubled Defence Investment Plan.

“Kemi Badenoch does not want an election,” the Reform UK leader said, adding that the Tory leader had “dressed up” her demand.

“She knows the Conservative Party would be obliterated if there were an election tomorrow.”

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