Story perspectives

Burnham Calls Snap Election, Trails Reform UK in Poll

5/31/2026

Summary

Story summary

Mayor Andy Burnham is preparing a snap election, discussed appointing Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood as chancellor, and will run in the Makerfield by-election on 18 June, challenging Prime Minister Keir Starmer if elected.
Burnham’s essay proposes state ownership of transport, energy and housing, expands technical education and seeks maximum regional devolution.
A BMG Research poll for The i shows Labour at 20 % behind Reform UK’s 23 %, and analysts note gilt-yield volatility.

History

Historical Context

After the 28 March 1979 no-confidence vote that followed a failed Scottish devolution referendum, the United Kingdom held a general election on 3 May 1979. Margaret Thatcher’s Conservatives won a 43-seat majority with a 5.2 % swing—the largest since 1945—beginning 18 years of centralised government. The Labour Party fell to 197 seats and the SNP lost most of its MPs, a shift that still fuels today’s regional autonomy debates.

1 of 2

Story summary

Mayor Andy Burnham is preparing a snap election, discussed appointing Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood as chancellor, and will run in the Makerfield by-election on 18 June, challenging Prime Minister Keir Starmer if elected.
Burnham’s essay proposes state ownership of transport, energy and housing, expands technical education and seeks maximum regional devolution.
A BMG Research poll for The i shows Labour at 20 % behind Reform UK’s 23 %, and analysts note gilt-yield volatility.

1 / 2