TUC general secretary Paul Nowak has suggested that Andy Burnham could call an early general election before Christmas to escape the constraints of Sir Keir Starmer's 2024 manifesto and pursue more radical left-wing economic policies. This matters because it points to tension within Labour over the pace and scope of change, with Chancellor John Healey pledging continuity ahead of next month's Budget while Burnham has promised more significant reform, raising questions about the government's economic direction amid a fragile economy.

Nowak wants Burnham to introduce a wealth tax on businesses and extend workers' rights beyond the existing Employment Rights Act, which already covers sick pay and paternity leave, with further protections against unfair dismissal due next year. He argued the current tax system is "better at taxing people than wealth" and said it was legitimate to ask whether Labour's next manifesto would go further on employment rights, while also insisting trade unions should be exempt from any cap on political donations.