Andy Burnham officially assumed office as the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister on Monday, replacing Keir Starmer and immediately reshaping his government with a sweeping cabinet overhaul as he unveiled an ambitious agenda aimed at tackling the cost-of-living crisis, re-industrialising Britain and shifting the country further to the political left.
The 56-year-old Labour leader formally became prime minister after meeting King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, where he was invited to form a new government following Starmer’s departure from Downing Street.
Burnham wasted no time asserting his authority, holding separate phone conversations with United States President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European leaders before announcing a new ministerial team that saw several allies of his predecessor removed from key positions.
Addressing supporters outside 10 Downing Street alongside his wife, Marie-France van Heel, Burnham declared that Britain was entering a new political era focused on economic renewal, regional empowerment and social justice.
“We need to show the world that Britain can regain stability,” Burnham said, promising to create “a new political model” and “build a new economy.”
The new prime minister said his administration would introduce a 10-year national development plan designed to ease pressure on households struggling with the rising cost of living.
“I will bring forward a new plan for Britain, a 10-year plan,” he said, adding that his government would “give people some breathing space now, some help with the cost of living,” with the first measures to be announced on Tuesday.
Burnham also pledged to make ending homelessness one of his administration’s immediate priorities.
“My first instruction will be to end rough sleeping,” he said.
As part of the cabinet reshuffle, former Defence Secretary John Healey was appointed Chancellor, replacing Rachel Reeves, while Ed Miliband became Foreign Secretary. Angela Rayner returned to government in a senior role, Wes Streeting was named Defence Secretary, and Shabana Mahmood retained her position as Home Secretary to continue reforms of Britain’s asylum system.
The prime minister also reiterated his commitment to decentralising power from Westminster, expanding public housing and strengthening government involvement in essential public services.
“In the 1980s Britain took some wrong turns,” Burnham said, pledging to “put life’s essentials back under stronger public control to make them affordable.”
Downing Street said Burnham assured President Trump during their first telephone conversation of Britain’s continued commitment to defence and security, while reaffirming to President Zelensky the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia.
Earlier, outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer left Downing Street with his wife after defending his record in office.
Britain is “stronger and fairer,” Starmer said as he departed.
Burnham inherits an economy weighed down by sluggish growth, rising government borrowing costs, mounting welfare spending and persistent migration challenges that have fuelled the rise of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
His administration also faces uncertainty over global energy markets amid tensions linked to the US-Iran conflict, as well as navigating relations with Washington under President Trump.
Although Burnham’s swift elevation to Labour leader and prime minister has drawn criticism from opposition parties demanding a fresh general election, European leaders quickly welcomed his appointment.
French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated the new British leader, urging him to “give new momentum to the partnership” between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
AFP
