UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to end years of political instability by introducing a new economic model, promising to restore confidence, drive growth and deliver long-term stability in his first speech after taking office on Monday.
Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, Burnham admitted that previous governments had failed to deliver the stability needed to improve people’s lives, promising immediate measures alongside a long-term strategy.
“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.
The new PM described his administration as a turning point for the country, saying:
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, 56, entered Downing Street shortly after former Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s farewell speech, where Starmer said serving as prime minister had been “the privilege of my life” and pledged his support to his successor.
New Government Priorities
Burnham’s first major priority will be tackling rough sleeping, while other challenges include weak economic growth, the cost-of-living crisis, and struggling public utility companies.
He is expected to announce his cabinet before unveiling wider reforms. Later this year, he plans to introduce a 10-year “Plan for Britain” aimed at setting a long-term direction for the country.
“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.
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Burnham also promised immediate relief measures to ease living costs and said he would expand public housing to reduce welfare costs and create room for increased defence spending.
His election as Labour leader has been described by party members as a major political shift, with supporters viewing him as capable of challenging the growing influence of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
Burnham promised a political transformation that would make “life more affordable and all people and places are lifted from where they are now”.
His first major test will be selecting his cabinet, particularly the finance minister role, which has historically been a key position in determining the success of governments.
Burnham has already cancelled plans requiring all workers to hold digital identity documents, a policy criticised as a failure by lawmakers.
His government will now face scrutiny over taxation, spending, energy policies, and plans to increase public control over struggling utility companies.
Reuters
