Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch’s request for pre-election access talks with Whitehall has been rejected by Cabinet Secretary Dame Antonia Romeo, after Prime Minister Andy Burnham insisted there was no plan to call an early general election.
Ms Badenoch had written to Dame Antonia asking for senior civil servants to be briefed on the Conservatives’ plans, arguing that officials should be prepared to implement them if a snap poll led to a change of government.
Her proposed programme includes withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights, reducing welfare spending, increasing defence expenditure and abolishing stamp duty.
A senior Conservative source said Dame Antonia had made clear that access talks could only begin with the Prime Minister’s approval. As Mr Burnham had said that an election was not being planned, the request would not be granted.
The decision means the Conservative Party will not yet be given the customary opportunity to discuss its policy priorities and possible Whitehall changes with senior officials.
Access talks are normally held between opposition parties and the civil service in the months before a general election. They allow officials to understand an opposition’s plans and help a potential incoming administration prepare for the transfer of power, although civil servants are not permitted to provide advice on current Government policy. The Institute for Government says such discussions commonly begin between 12 and 16 months before the end of a Parliament.
Ms Badenoch is understood to believe that Mr Burnham could seek an early mandate sooner than expected, despite having publicly ruled out an immediate election.
Speaking in Ukraine last week, the Prime Minister rejected the suggestion that he should take advantage of Labour’s improved position in the polls and go to the country.
“I will tell you why not – because I am focused on the needs of the country and not party-political interest. I am not going to call an election,” he told ITV News.
Mr Burnham added: “I said outside Downing Street that I would do politics differently, that I would try to bring people together and focus on problem solving rather than point scoring.”
He said he wanted to use the autumn to build confidence in the economy and work with the Chancellor ahead of the Budget, declaring: “I am ruling it out right in front of you.”
Dame Antonia has served as Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service since 19 February 2026. The Prime Minister is ultimately responsible for the operation of the Civil Service, including authorising pre-election contact with opposition parties. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/people/antonia-romeo?utm_source=openai))
