Nigel Farage demands ‘general election now’ as Andy Burnham becomes PM | Politics | News

Nigel Farage called for an “immediate general election” as Andy Burnham marched into Number 10. The new Prime Minister, who was confirmed by the King on Monday, was appointed by Labor MPs after no one else took part in the leadership election following the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer.

But the Reform UK leader said British people should decide who governs them. He also hit out at Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch after she rejected the Tories’ call for a general election. Mr Farage said: “More taxes, more border chaos, more Europe and an extra £10 billion in foreign aid – all without any democratic mandate.

“That’s why, unlike the Conservatives who have little interest in electioneering these days, we are calling for an immediate general election. Burnham must set up her own stall, present it to the British people and let us decide the future of our country.”

When he becomes prime minister, Andy Burnham will promise to restore confidence in the Government and give people “breathing space”.

The New Labor leader will explain his domestic priorities in his first speech in Downing Street after visiting the Palace to “kiss hands” with the King and will officially take over from Sir Keir Starmer.

He is expected to describe the moment as a moment of “reflection and analysis”, arguing that Britain must be honest about the challenges it faces and show it can solve them.

He will also say he is “absolutely conscious” that the UK has had seven prime ministers in the last 10 years and underlines the need for more stable and responsible policies.

Mr Burnham’s allies said he would argue that political stability should deliver “tangible” improvements to the cost of living along with the “breathing room” he has previously promised.

Mr Burnham, who became Labor leader uncontested just a month after returning to Westminster, has yet to set out much of his agenda for his premiership.

He has already said he wants to devolve power from Westminster as one of his key priorities and wants to drive that agenda with a new “No 10 North” in Manchester, which he is expected to visit later in the week.

Promising a “reset of priorities”, Mr Burnham also announced he would cancel Sir Keir’s flagship digital identity program to focus money and attention on the cost of living.

The new prime minister is expected to announce policies aimed at making people’s lives easier in his first week in office.

Reports have suggested this could include actions on energy bills, including allowing more oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.

Environmental campaigners have called for Labor to stick to its 2024 manifesto, which pledged not to grant new licenses for North Sea drilling, arguing it would not cut energy bills.

Mr Burnham may also face a decision on whether to temporarily nationalize Thames Water as the company grapples with a £20bn debt pile.

He has already expressed support for greater public control of essential services and Thames Water’s main creditors have said they are willing to discuss the issue with their new minister in a bid to agree a rescue deal and prevent the business from falling into a so-called “private management regime”.

Mr Burnham is expected to begin announcing his cabinet picks after his speech in Downing Street.

With the contest said to be between Energy Minister Ed Miliband and Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood, attention has focused on who he will choose as chancellor.

After becoming party leader on Friday, Mr Burnham said he was still undecided on the appointment, which had been the subject of a series of anonymous briefings against both Mr Miliband and Ms Mahmood, despite the new leader’s desire to end factionalism within Labor.

Party deputy leader Lucy Powell told the BBC on Sunday that the briefings were “pretty appalling” and “uneducational”.