Andy Burnham became Britain’s seventh prime minister in a decade on Monday.
Speaking to dozens of supporters gathered outside his new office and residence at 10 Downing Street, Burnham said politicians had failed to provide the stability needed to raise living standards. He pledged to change that through a combination of immediate measures and a longer-term plan to be unveiled later this year.
“I know people at home are fed up with politics. I hear you, and I want to be honest with you, we have not been good enough and we need to be better”, Burnham said.
He delivered his first speech without notes and dispensed with the traditional lectern generally used by British prime ministers.
“We will make this moment a circuit-breaker for Britain, bringing forward the biggest changes in the last 40 years. A new political model and a new economic model”, he declared.
A New Direction for Britain
Just over an hour after his predecessor and Labour colleague Keir Starmer ended his farewell speech with the words “My work is done”, the 56-year-old former mayor of Greater Manchester entered Downing Street. He said his government’s first priority would be to end rough sleeping.
But the major challenges lie ahead. Burnham must first unveil his cabinet, which is already the subject of intense debate within the Labour Party. He will then have to tackle problems ranging from anemic economic growth and the cost-of-living crisis to struggling utility companies.
Starmer, who was ousted by Labour MPs about a month ago, called serving as prime minister “the privilege of my life” and wished Burnham every success.
“He has my full support”, Starmer said.
Burnham made no mention of Starmer in his speech, instead focusing on plans to sweep away much of what had gone before. He acknowledged, however, that parts of his program would take time to implement.
“Later this year, I will bring forward a new Plan for Britain, a 10-year plan, laying out a plan from where we are now to where I believe we all want Britain to be, wherever we’re coming from, whatever party we support”, he said.
At the same time, Burnham promised to give people “some breathing space now” by unveiling measures on Tuesday to tackle the rising cost of living and explaining how he would pay for them.
Beyond tackling homelessness, Burnham said he would build more public housing to reduce welfare spending, thereby helping to fund higher defense investment.
Labour Turns to Burnham to Counter Reform UK
On Friday, Burnham described his election as Labour leader as “the most significant change moment in our politics for 40 years”.
He promised to radically change the political system and turn Britain into a country where “life is more affordable and all people and places are lifted from where they are now”.
Labour MPs regard him as one of the few politicians capable of countering the growing threat from Nigel Farage’s populist Reform UK – something they doubted the unpopular Starmer could achieve.
Burnham’s choice of cabinet will provide an early test of his new government. The most closely watched appointment will be that of chancellor. Friction between prime ministers and their chancellors has contributed to the downfall of previous administrations.
Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband was initially considered the frontrunner for the post but has since been the target of hostile briefings. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood now appears to be the favorite.
On Sunday, Burnham scrapped plans to require all employees to hold a digital identity document. The scheme was designed to tackle illegal migration but was branded a “fiasco” by a cross-party committee of MPs.
Attention will also focus on the new government’s decisions on taxation and spending, oil and gas policy and underperforming utility companies, over which Burnham wants stronger public control.
(Reuters, lud)