Kemi Badenoch has written to the Cabinet Secretary demanding formal pre-election talks with civil servants.
As speculation increases that Andy Burnham could go to the country for an early election, Mrs Badenoch has said she wants mandarins to be fully across Tory plans for radical reforms should Mr Burnham’s gamble backfire.
In a letter to Antonia Romeo, seen by The Mail on Sunday, Mrs Badenoch said she believes Mr Burnham will call an election sooner rather than later.
She says this is because Labour’s current manifesto ‘does not allow him to put up the taxes he wishes to pursue his agenda’.
With the new Chancellor John Healey already preparing for Mr Burnham’s first Budget, speculation is rife about how the Government can fund the new Prime Minister’s costly pledges while sticking to Labour’s promise not to raise VAT, income tax or National Insurance.
Mrs Badenoch continues: ‘I ask that you seek the Prime Minister’s approval to begin discussions with the Conservative Party as soon as possible, so we can ensure that the Civil Service has the details of our plans for government.’
She specified sweeping reforms to slash benefits, hiking defence spending, quitting the European Convention on Human Rights, and scrapping stamp duty on homes and business rates for most of the high street.
The Tory leader concludes: ‘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
Mrs Badenoch has said she wants mandarins to be fully across Tory plans for radical reforms should Andy Burnham’s gamble backfire
‘It is imperative the Civil Service are given as much time to prepare for them as possible.’
Access talks traditionally take place about 12-16 months prior to 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 insisted that an early election is not ‘what people are looking for right now’.
Asked by ITV News why he wouldn’t capitalise on Labour’s recent rise in the polls to overtake Reform UK, Mr Burnham said: ‘I will tell you why not – because I am focused on the needs of the country and not party-political interest.’
Despite his denial, Reform UK have also said that their conference this weekend will be used to put their party on a snap election footing.
Party chairman Lee Anderson said: ‘We’re preparing for the general election sometime next year. The selection of candidates for parliamentary seats is taking place as we speak.
‘The Burnham bounce? I don’t think it exists.’
