- Senior Downing Street advisers are reportedly urging prime minister Andy Burnham to call an early general election next spring to secure Labour's hold on power.
- A recent YouGov MRP poll suggests Labour would remain the largest party with 241 seats in a hung parliament, falling short of an overall majority.
- Proponents argue an early election would allow Mr Burnham to put forward his own manifesto rather than remaining bound by previous commitments.
- Senior figures caution that an early election could only take place if the Middle East crisis subsides, helping to lower energy prices and ease the cost of living.
- The push for an early vote comes as Reform UK experiences a decline in poll leads alongside a high-profile donation scandal.
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