Prime Minister Andy Burnham used his first speech in Downing Street to call for a 'national sense of unity' and promised to win over voters 'fed up with politics'. He emphasized that the UK can once again be a source of stability.
Promises to Address Cost-of-Living and Decentralize Power
Mr Burnham pledged to take power out of Westminster and give the public greater control over 'life's essentials'. He announced a ten-year plan to be set out later this year, with measures starting Tuesday to address the cost-of-living squeeze and provide 'breathing space now'.
In his first promise as Prime Minister, he said he would 'end rough sleeping in our country'. Hours before his speech, he visited the homelessness charity The Passage in London's Victoria.
Call for Political Renewal
Mr Burnham, greeted by cheers from supporters, stated: 'I am acutely conscious that I am the sixth person in the last 10 years to walk up this street, the seventh prime minister since 2016, making this a moment for reflection and new resolution.' He added: 'It requires my generation of politicians to raise our game and rise to the new challenge. Britain needs to show the world that we can regain our stability once again.'
The Labour leader promised to 'make this moment a circuit breaker for Britain' – the biggest transformation in 40 years, with 'a new political model and a new economic model'.
Specific Policy Pledges
He outlined several key pledges: helping more young people into work by changing the education system, building more council homes, and creating a more 'preventative state' that invests in people's success rather than paying for failure. He said: 'That is the fair and sustainable way to bring the welfare bill down, to meet our fiscal rules, and to honour our commitments on defence to our international partners.'
Mr Burnham concluded: 'Let us make this the moment when Britain starts to believe again, the moment we bring back hope.' He urged people to 'pull with me' to 'build a new national sense of unity, of common purpose and positivity'.
Handover of Power
Mr Burnham became Prime Minister after 'kissing hands' with the King, the private ceremony accepting the invitation to form a government. The handover followed Sir Keir Starmer's audience with Charles to formally resign. In his final Downing Street appearance, Sir Keir said 'my work is done' and he left the country 'stronger and fairer' than when he took office two years ago.
The speeches were quieter than Sir Keir's resignation announcement last month, as a Metropolitan Police ban prevented protesters from playing loud music outside Downing Street.
Supporters and Cabinet Selection
Mr Burnham was flanked by supporters including Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, former footballer Peter Reid, and Josh Simons, who stood down as Makerfield MP to allow Burnham to return to Westminster. After his speech, he received hugs and applause from his wife Marie-France van Heel before entering No 10.
His first tasks include selecting his Cabinet. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is widely seen as the frontrunner for chancellor. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch urged him to commit to spending cuts and rule out tax rises, while Green Party leader Zack Polanski called for rent controls, public ownership of water, and wealth taxes.
