Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as Prime Minister and Labour Party leader has disrupted the political landscape once more in the United Kingdom.
The seemingly never-ending revolving door at 10 Downing Street continues, and the UK is now searching for a seventh Prime Minister in just 10 years.
On the day Starmer announced an emotional farewell outside of number 10, his successor-in-waiting, Andy Burnham, was transiting south to much fanfare.
The 'King of the North' was followed by a host of journalists and cameras on his train south from Manchester to London, where he was greeted by a mob of Labour MPs, all seemingly eager to be in the good graces of the man who looks set to replace the beleaguered PM.
Not everyone was so happy to see Burnham arrive at Westminster however. Within minutes of Starmer's farewell speech, Reform leader Nigel Farage took to social media to call for a general election, claiming that Burnham and his yet-to-be-revealed manifesto was not elected by the British public.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch cast a more reserved figure in the immediate aftermath of Starmer's announcement, questioning the timetable set out by the outgoing PM whilst stopping short of calling for an general election.
Year of Next UK General Election Odds
It is understandable that Farage and Reform would call for an immediate general election given their recent strength in the polls and council elections performance; however, it remains unlikely that Labour would choose to call for one in the immediate future.
According to the odds, Labour are unlikely to announce a general election before the scheduled date of 2029; indeed, a 2026 date is the longest price of any year between now and that point.
Looking beyond 2029, the shortest price for the next general election is in 2027. If Burnham, or whoever is leading Labour at that time, consolidate their strength and are buoyed by their polling performances, it is 2/1 they choose 2027 as the date of the next general election.
Otherwise the most likely scenario is Labour continue to occupy Downing Street until the mandated latest election date which is no later than August 2029.
