Andy Burnham has been officially confirmed as the new Labour leader, pledging to restore "hope" and deliver "the Labour they once knew" as he formally took over leadership of the party.
Burnham Declares Himself 'Ready to Lead'
Speaking at a special conference held at the Trades Union Congress headquarters in central London on Friday, Burnham declared himself "ready to lead" in the final step before succeeding Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister next week.
During his acceptance speech, Burnham promised to offer "hope." He stated that the Labour movement which 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."
Unity at the Service of People
"And now we answer that call," he said. "We will be that version of Labour again." He added: "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."
The former Greater Manchester mayor made his return to Westminster as Makerfield MP last month and secured overwhelming backing from Labour MPs to succeed Sir Keir as party leader following his resignation announcement.
Overwhelming Support from MPs and Unions
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, serving as chairwoman of Labour's ruling National Executive Committee, announced the leadership contest results in which Burnham received support from 379 of the party's 403 MPs and all 11 unions affiliated with the party.
Burnham is set to walk through the doors of 10 Downing Street on Monday, becoming the UK's seventh prime minister in a decade, as speculation mounts over his policy plans and Cabinet appointments.
