Andy Burnham Takes Charge, Vows to End Years of UK Political Turmoil
London: Newly elected leader of the Labor Party, Andy Burnham, took office as Britain’s new Prime Minister on Monday.
In her opening speech at 10 Downing Street, Burnham said she would make politics more problem-solving and ensure her appointment would be a “circuit-breaking” moment for the country.
The 56-year-old leader of the Labor Party broke with prime ministerial tradition by choosing to address the nation from his new headquarters rather than the customary podium used by many of his predecessors.
In his first speech as Prime Minister, Burnham said: “We will make this moment a circuit breaker for Britain and bring forward the biggest changes of the last 40 years, a new political model and a new economic model.” he said.
Accompanied by his wife, Marie-France van Heel, and surrounded by several party friends who were expected to be appointed among his close aides, Burnham promised a collaborative approach and chose to “put an end to rough sleeping” among his priorities by building more houses.
“Instead of paying the price for people’s failure, by building a more proactive state, by investing in people’s success, we will help people live well, and that work starts now,” Burnham said.
“Soon I will pass through that door behind me and give my first instruction: let’s put an end to the rough sleep in our country,” he said.
Burnham was joined by King George III, who called on the former mayor of Greater Manchester to form a new government following Keir Starmer’s resignation minutes earlier to mark the official transfer of power. After his meeting with Charles, he assumed official duties as the new Prime Minister of England.
“His Royal Highness received the Rt. The Honorable Andrew Burnham MP in the audience and asked him to form a new administration,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement. The statement was included.
The palace said Burnham “kissed her hands upon his appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury”; this was a reference to the symbolic royal tradition that forms part of Britain’s constitutional monarchy.
Burnham, the Labor leader who was elected unopposed last week, will now begin work as Prime Minister immediately, having announced her picks for the Cabinet.
Earlier, Starmer made his final speech as British Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street before heading to meet the King to formally tender his resignation. “I’m done,” he said.
The 63-year-old Labor MP, who announced his decision to resign last month, said he was passing the “flag” to Burnham, who has his “full support”.
“I go with good grace, I go with a smile and I’m proud of everything we’ve achieved,” Starmer said.
Cabinet colleagues and officials lined up to applaud his departure from Downing Street after two years in a landslide win for Labor in the July 2024 general election.
