Andy Burnham became Britain’s seventh prime minister in a decade today Monday, pledging to usher in a new political and economic era as he vowed to restore stability and improve living standards.
Addressing supporters outside 10 Downing Street shortly after taking office, Burnham acknowledged public frustration with politics and promised sweeping reforms.
“I know people at home are fed up with politics. I hear you, and I want to be honest with you, we have not been good enough and we need to be better,” he said.
“We will make this moment a circuit-breaker for Britain, bringing forward the biggest changes in the last 40 years. A new political model and a new economic model.”
Burnham succeeded fellow Labour politician Keir Starmer, who stepped down after telling the nation: “My work is done.” Starmer described serving as prime minister as “the privilege of my life” and wished his successor well, saying: “He has my full support.”
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The 56-year-old former Mayor of Greater Manchester said his new administration would begin by tackling rough sleeping, while also addressing Britain’s broader economic challenges, including sluggish growth, the cost-of-living crisis and underperforming utility companies.
Burnham said a long-term strategy for the country would be unveiled later this year.
“Later this year, I will bring forward a new Plan for Britain, a 10-year plan, laying out a plan from where we are now to where I believe we all want Britain to be, wherever we’re coming from, whatever party we support,” he said.
He also promised immediate measures to ease pressure on households.
“I will also give people some breathing space now,” Burnham said, adding that his government would announce measures on Tuesday to tackle the cost of living and explain how they would be funded.
Among his priorities are expanding public housing to reduce welfare spending, increasing defence investment and strengthening public oversight of underperforming utility companies.
Burnham is expected to announce his cabinet in the coming days, with particular attention focused on his choice of finance minister as the new government prepares to implement its reform agenda.
Before taking office, Burnham scrapped plans requiring all employees to hold digital identity documents, abandoning a controversial scheme introduced to combat illegal migration after it was widely criticised as a policy failure.
