Andy Burnham assumed office as the seventh Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in a decade, swiftly diving into his duties. His first day included an official meeting with the King at Buckingham Palace and delivering his inaugural speech at No 10. Burnham promptly announced his new Cabinet lineup after being elected Leader of the Labour Party, succeeding Keir Starmer.
In his address outside Downing Street, Burnham vowed to offer immediate relief to families struggling with financial challenges, tackle homelessness, and rejuvenate the country’s industrial sector. He emphasized the need for a fresh political and economic approach, expressing a commitment to significant transformations for the nation.
Key appointments in Burnham’s Cabinet included John Healey as Chancellor of the Exchequer. The reshuffle also saw Ed Miliband take on the role of Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper moving to health, and Angela Rayner becoming Housing Secretary. Additionally, Louise Haigh was appointed First Secretary of State and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
Wes Streeting, a former health secretary, was named Defence Secretary following his support for Burnham. Several senior officials retained their positions, including Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. Burnham engaged in discussions with global leaders like Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron, and Mark Rutte.
EU President Antonio Costa congratulated Burnham on his appointment, expressing optimism for continued cooperation between the UK and the EU. The EU-UK relations were highlighted as important for both regions’ citizens and businesses.