Andy Burnham is set to assume office as the new Prime Minister today and is scheduled to meet with King Charles before delivering his inaugural speech at Downing Street. Widely known as the “King of the North,” Burnham’s address is anticipated to shape the trajectory of his government, acknowledging the weariness among the populace with the frequent appearances at the No10 podium. A key focus of his speech will be his commitment to providing the UK with “more breathing space” in terms of the cost of living.
Labour’s deputy leader, Lucy Powell, has emphasized that Burnham intends to present a more ambitious and daring vision for addressing the challenges facing Britain. Allies of Burnham have indicated that he will stress the importance of translating political stability into tangible improvements, in addition to fulfilling his promise of easing the financial burden on citizens.
Following Keir Starmer’s resignation last month, where he tearfully acknowledged that Labour MPs did not view him as the optimal leader for the upcoming general election, Burnham will become the fifth Prime Minister in four years to enter Number 10 Downing Street. This succession includes Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, and Starmer.
Burnham, expressing optimism, has outlined his plans for governance upon assuming office. He aims to introduce a different approach to politics, citing the ineffectiveness of the system over the past decade. However, he also stressed the need for patience from the public, acknowledging that change cannot happen overnight but requires a clear vision and incremental steps.
Lord John Bird, the founder of Big Issue, has urged Burnham to empower councils with greater authority to address homelessness by acquiring or leasing vacant properties. This call comes amidst a crisis where over a million families are on housing waiting lists and a record number of children are living in temporary accommodations. Lord Bird proposes a government-backed loan scheme to facilitate the creation of social housing units and alleviate the homelessness situation.
Today, both Burnham and Starmer have packed schedules, with Starmer expected to make a statement in Downing Street before visiting Buckingham Palace to conclude his term as Prime Minister. Burnham will follow suit with a speech to the press, unveiling his cabinet selections later in the day.
Burnham, revealing a personal aspect, mentioned that his father, who suffers from Alzheimer’s and resides in a care home, is unaware of his son’s imminent appointment as Prime Minister. Expressing sorrow over his father’s lack of awareness, Burnham highlighted his father’s pride if he were cognizant of the situation.
In his upcoming address as Prime Minister, Burnham is poised to promise “more breathing space” for Britain concerning the cost of living, aligning with his plans for an initial policy blitz aimed at easing financial pressures on households and acknowledging the prevailing political turbulence as he takes over from Starmer.