New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has spoken with US President Donald Trump in one of his first phone calls since taking office, reportedly inviting him to visit Manchester. According to White House insiders, Trump accepted the invitation, despite having previously referred to Burnham as the 'mayor of a town'.
Burnham's First Day as Prime Minister
The phone call came on the same afternoon Burnham visited Buckingham Palace to meet the King and formally become Prime Minister. Upon returning to Downing Street, he pledged to win over voters 'fed up with politics' and demonstrate that the UK can be a beacon of stability. In his inaugural speech, delivered without a lectern, he vowed to decentralise power from Westminster and give the public more control over 'life's essentials'.
Burnham stated he would unveil a ten-year plan later this year and, starting on Tuesday, introduce measures to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, providing 'breathing space now'. His first pledge as Prime Minister was to 'end rough sleeping in our country', and he visited The Passage homelessness charity in London just hours before his speech.
Speech to Supporters
Greeted by cheers in Downing Street, Burnham said: '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 vowed to 'make this moment a circuit breaker for Britain', promising the most significant transformation in 40 years with 'a new political model and a new economic model'. He said: 'We will change politics, to make it more collaborative, more about problem solving than point-scoring, and will take power out of here and carry it into every postcode in the land.'
Trump Invitation and Reaction
According to POLITICO, Burnham used his initial conversation with Trump to extend an invitation to visit Manchester, which Trump reportedly accepted. This followed Trump's earlier characterisation of Burnham as an 'extremely liberal' politician and 'mayor of a town'. Burnham's team indicated he wants to show 'the best of Manchester' to the US president.
Burnham ascended to the role after 'kissing hands' with the King in a private ceremony. The transfer of power occurred after Sir Keir Starmer met with Charles to formally step down. In his final Downing Street appearance, Starmer declared 'my work is done', stating he left the country 'stronger and fairer' than when he assumed office two years prior.
Cabinet Appointments and Political Reactions
Among Burnham's initial duties is appointing his new Cabinet. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is widely tipped as favourite for chancellor. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch wrote a letter urging Burnham to commit to spending cuts, rule out tax increases, and grant licences for North Sea oil and gas projects. Green Party leader Zack Polanski urged rent controls, public ownership of water, and wealth taxes.
