Newly appointed Labor Party leader Andy Burnham met Britain’s King Charles III on Monday, the traditional final step in becoming the country’s head of government.
Burnham is the seventh British prime minister in the last 10 years after Britain voted to leave the European Union.
His predecessor Keir Starmer announced he was stepping down in June, after several Cabinet ministers resigned amid declining poll figures and questions about his leadership.
Burnham, a former mayor of Greater Manchester, managed to win a risky special election in June to re-enter Parliament.
Burnham promises to ‘bring back hope’ in maiden speech
Speaking for the first time outside her new home of 10 Downing Street, Burnham said she was “well aware” of being the seventh Prime Minister in ten years, and promised to “make politics better” since the Brexit vote.
“I know people at home are fed up with politics, I hear you… We are not good enough, and we need to be better,” the PM said, before promising to bring about the “biggest change in the last 40 years.”
He then targeted the privatization of public services and the de-industrialization of Britain in the 1980s, without mentioning any of his predecessors by name. Burnham said he would present a 10-year plan for a new economic and political model by the end of the year.
Saying that he was aware that Britain was currently facing a cost of living crisis, he promised to present some proposals to ease the situation by tomorrow.
The Labor leader then said his first concern was to “end the rough sleepers in this country” and ease the housing crisis, before promising to “bring back hope” to all Britons.
European leaders congratulated Burnham
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz congratulated Burnham in a social media message, saying “Germany, the United Kingdom are close partners. I look forward to working together.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on Twitter: “I look forward to working with you to strengthen the EU-UK partnership. For the security of our shared continent. And for the prosperity of people on both sides of the Channel.”
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom Burnham has vowed to support, said he was “looking forward to our conversation later today,” adding that “the foundation of our bilateral relationship is stronger than ever, and we will continue to build each other stronger.”
Starmer formally resigned
In order for Burnham to officially become Prime Minister, Keir Starmer first had to formally tender his resignation to King Charles III.
In prepared remarks as he left Downing Street, the outgoing leader highlighted his role in taking the Labor Party from declining poll numbers to a “massive victory” two years ago.
Claiming an improved economy, lower NHS waiting times and falling immigration, he said, “Britain is now stronger and fairer than it was two years ago.”
He wished his successor “every success” and gave his full support.
Edited by: Rana Taha
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