Badenoch claims Labour is preparing for a general election in May 2027 – UK politics live
Speculation about an early election continue to persist even as Andy Burnham ruled it out Ministers are working up sweeping plans for welfare changes including scrapping a key disa
By The Guardian
Kemi Badenoch has claimed Labour is preparing for a general election as early as May 2027, despite the prime minister ruling out an early contest.
The Conservative leader made the remark after reports about possible welfare changes under consideration by ministers, including plans affecting disability support for younger claimants.
According to the source report, Whitehall sources said the package being debated was broader than previously understood and could include scrapping a key disability benefit for under-25s.
The reporting says ministers are weighing a multibillion-pound package of support aimed at helping more people back into work.
Badenoch said the timing of measures set out by Andy Burnham would point to a spring election, arguing that so many pledges would not come into force until after the next general election.
Ahead of the Conservative Party conference next week, she said: “We could be having a general election next May.”
The source report also says speculation about an early election continues despite Burnham ruling it out.