Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has predicted that Prime Minister Andy Burnham could call a snap general election as soon as December, characterising him as a "gambler" willing to take the political risk. An early election would allow Burnham to seek a fresh mandate if he believes he can win, though such a move carries significant political danger for both Labour and the Conservatives. This speculation comes as the polling landscape shifts, with Reform declining from its position as the largest party to third place, whilst voters increasingly consider tactical voting to prevent Nigel Farage's party from gaining power.

A YouGov MRP poll for The Times suggests an immediate election would likely produce a hung parliament, with Labour winning the most seats but falling short of a majority without forming an unlikely coalition with the Liberal Democrats, Greens and Scottish National Party. Polling data from 6,077 respondents shows Labour would defeat Reform in a straight fight by 41 to 26 per cent—a gap that has widened by 11 points since February—whilst Reform also trails the Conservatives by 15 points and the Liberal Democrats by an increased margin. Badenoch ruled out any Conservative coalition arrangements, citing the 2010–2015 coalition experience with the Lib Dems, and warned that multi-party deals would leave voters uncertain about government policy.