Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said she believes Prime Minister Andy Burnham could call a General Election as soon as December.
Speaking during an LBC phone-in hosted by Iain Dale, Badenoch was asked about her plans for welfare spending when she turned to the possibility of an early national poll.
She said: “I think it’s this December... I think Andy Burnham is a gambler. I think he might fancy his chances.”
Badenoch added that the Conservatives also fancied their chances if an election were called.
Badenoch puts December timeframe on election speculation
The comments mark a further development in speculation over whether Burnham could seek his own electoral mandate before the end of the year.
Badenoch has previously said she believes Burnham wants to call a General Election, but her latest remarks go further by putting a specific December timeframe on her prediction.
Her comments are an assessment of what the Prime Minister might do rather than evidence that an election has been scheduled.
Opposition parties preparing for possibility of early poll
The possibility of an early election has increasingly entered political discussion in recent weeks.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has confirmed his party has begun preparing its next General Election manifesto earlier than usual so it is ready if Burnham decides to call a snap contest.
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak has also previously raised the possibility that Burnham could seek a fresh mandate, while polling expert Sir John Curtice has discussed the electoral risks Labour could face if the Prime Minister went to the country early.
No General Election announced
There has been no announcement from Burnham or Downing Street that a General Election will be held in December.
Badenoch’s comments should therefore be treated as her political prediction rather than confirmation of government plans.
Burnham has previously rejected suggestions that he intends to call an early election.
Nevertheless, the Conservative leader’s decision to publicly identify December as the period in which she believes an election could take place adds a new element to the continuing speculation over whether the Prime Minister will eventually seek his own mandate from voters.