Andy Burnham has been announced as the new Labour leader at a special party conference in London, succeeding Sir Keir Starmer. The MP for Makerfield secured the backing of 379 of the party's 403 MPs, comfortably exceeding the 81 required. In his victory speech, he pledged to give people "hope back" and declared he is "ready to lead."
Burnham's Victory Speech
Burnham said the Labour movement that supported him "heard the call from the people of Makerfield on behalf of forgotten places everywhere up and down this country for a return of the Labour they once knew. And now we answer that call. We will be that version of Labour again." He continued: "We are united and we put the power that comes from that unity at the service of people and places who have been waiting too long for politics to let them hope again. That's what we're going to do, everybody. We're going to give them hope back."
Endorsements and Conference
The former MP for Leigh gained the endorsement of eight of the 11 unions affiliated with the party. The result was revealed at a special conference, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announcing the outcome in her capacity as chairwoman of the party's ruling National Executive Committee.
Tribute to Starmer
Burnham expressed gratitude to outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as he declared he was "ready to lead." He said: "This is a proud moment you have given me and my family today, an emotional one. But it is one for which I am ready. I am ready, ready to lead and to build on the foundation laid by one person more than any other. Under Keir Starmer's leadership, we went from our worst defeat to one of the best victories in our history. Keir put Labour back in a position to change people's lives, and that is what we have been doing these last two years."
Policy Highlights
Burnham highlighted policies including the expansion of workers' and renters' rights, reductions in NHS waiting lists, rail renationalisation, and the introduction of the Hillsborough Law – "the biggest rebalancing of the scales of justice this country has ever seen." He concluded: "Today, we thank Keir for his service to our party and to our country."
