Kemi Badenoch has written to the Cabinet Secretary demanding formal pre-election discussions with civil servants.
While speculation increases that Andy Burnham As the country could go to an early election, Ms Badenoch has said she wants mandarins to be fully included in Tory plans for radical reforms should Burnham’s gamble backfire.
In a letter to Antonia Romeo seen by The Mail on Sunday, Ms Badenoch said she believes Burnham will call an election sooner rather than later.
She says this is because WorkThe current manifesto “does not allow him to raise the taxes he wishes to pursue his agenda.”
With new Chancellor John Healey already preparing to deliver Mr Burnham’s first Budget, speculation is rife over how the Government can fund the new Prime Minister’s costly commitments while sticking to Labour’s pledge not to raise money. VATincome tax or national insurance.
Ms Badenoch continued: “I ask that you seek the Prime Minister’s approval to begin discussions with the Government Conservative Party as quickly as possible so that we can ensure that the civil service has the details of our government plans.”
She specified sweeping reforms to cut benefits, increase defense spending, leave the European Convention on Human Rights and scrap stamp duty on homes and business rates on most high streets.
The Tory leader concluded: ‘These are far-reaching changes that are part of my plans for an economic revolution to get Britain working.
Kemi Badenoch has written to the Cabinet Secretary demanding formal pre-election talks with civil servants
Ms Badenoch has said she wants mandarins to be fully included in Tory plans for radical reform, should Andy Burnham’s gamble backfire
“It is imperative that the civil service is given as much time as possible to prepare for this.”
Access talks traditionally take place twelve to sixteen months before the end of a parliament and are used to help the civil service and opposition parties prepare for a possible change of government.
Speaking in Ukraine this week, Mr Burnham stressed that early elections are not “not what people are looking for right now”.
Asked by ITV News why he wouldn’t benefit from Labour’s recent rise in the polls Reform is catching up with Britainsaid Mr Burnham: ‘I’ll tell you why not – because I’m focused on the needs of the country and not on party political interests.’
Despite his denial, Reform UK has also said their conference will take place this weekend used to put their party on a snap election footing.
Party chairman Lee Anderson said: “We are preparing for the general election sometime next year. The selection of candidates for parliamentary seats is currently taking place.
“The Burnham Jump? I don’t think it exists.’
The honeymoon is over, Burnham
The Conservative leader has warned Andy Burnham that ‘the honeymoon is over’ as he braces for his toughest week yet.
As MPs are set to return to the House of Commons after their summer recess, the Prime Minister is faced with a nightmarish to-do list that could spark a Labor civil war.
He will finally appear in the Dispatch Box on Tuesday, the first time he will lock horns with Kemi Badenoch, inset. It is immediately followed by an announcement about the early release of more prisoners.
It is expected that there will also be statements on sanctions against illegal Israeli settlements and against drilling in the North Sea.
Mrs Badenoch warned: ‘The honeymoon is over.’
She told the Mail on Sunday: ‘Andy Burnham needs to stop tinkering around the edges and start doing the job he has set himself up to do.
‘If he won’t make the tough decisions to scrap the welfare bill, strengthen defenses and resist the urge to spend money on taxpayers’ credit cards, then he’s just the same old Labor leader from the same old Labor Party.
‘I look forward to pinning him down this week and getting answers to the questions the British people are actually asking.’
