Why isn’t Andy Burnham using a lectern?
Andy Burnham has decided to deliver his first speech as prime minister without the traditional Downing Street speech feature.
As the new prime minister, the former mayor of Manchester became the sixth politician to speak in front of Number 10 in a decade; but he was the first to do so without a pulpit.
The podium has long been a staple of prime ministerial speeches, with different leaders often opting for their own personal style of stance.
Journalists gathered on the street settled into the familiar routine before a prime minister makes an important speech; this is evident with the arrival of the ‘podium man’, who has become a national treasure in political circles.
But Mr Burnham may want his decision to walk out of the convention to be seen as a sign that he will run Downing Street differently and act as a physical manifestation of the “change” Labor has long promised.
The move also shows that he hopes to maintain the same style of leadership and service he created as mayor of Manchester, where he was widely popular overall.
The new prime minister promised to give people “breathing space” against the rising cost of living as he made his first speech in front of the world media in Downing Street on Monday.
He urged the country to be honest about the challenges it faces and called for “reflection and solutions”, and also said he was “extremely conscious” that the UK had had seven prime ministers in just over 10 years, stressing the need for more stable and responsible policies and vowing to restore confidence in the government.
Monday marks the brink of a rapid transition for Mr Burnham, which comes barely a month after he returned to Westminster following his victory in the Makerfield by-election.
Mr Burnham is expected to name his cabinet after his speech.
He remains tight-lipped about his choices but is thought to be considering Energy Secretary Ed Miliband or Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to become Chancellor.
Without a full leadership contest, the new prime minister has yet to determine much of his agenda for his premiership.
He has 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.
Before Mr Burnham’s speech, his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, said in his final speech in front of No 10 that he wished Andy Burnham “every success” as he took over as prime minister.
He said: “I now pass the baton to Andy Burnham and wish him every success.
“He has my full support.”
Speaking about the steps of Number 10, the former prime minister said it formed the basis of Britain’s support for Ukraine and could also help change the country for the better.
He said: “I would like to thank once again my family, Vic and our children, my team, all the staff here and across the Labor Party, everyone at Number 10 and across the civil service and everyone who has supported our efforts along the way.
“Politics will always be a team sport when we focus on individuals, and the changes we bring about for our country and our party belong to everyone who fights for them.
“I thank them again today and thank them for the opportunity to serve the British people.
“I leave with good grace, I leave with a smile, and I am proud of everything we have accomplished.”
