Burnham to urge UK honesty on challenges ahead of becoming PM
16 reported4 unconfirmed
Andy Burnham will become the UK’s sixth prime minister in a decade on Monday, and is expected to call for honesty about the country’s challenges in his first Downing Street address. The Labour leader will go to Buckingham Palace to accept the role from the king before making cabinet appointments. His speech is expected to strike an optimistic but realistic note, with measures to ease the cost of living and allow more North Sea fossil fuel drilling in existing areas. Burnham is also expected to outline a 10-year plan for the country focused on early investment. Many cabinet positions remain unconfirmed, though Shabana Mahmood is widely believed to become chancellor and Ed Miliband foreign secretary. Burnham has not made major new policy commitments beyond sticking to Labour’s manifesto pledges on taxes and scrapping digital ID cards. The Conservatives have accused him of planning tax increases, while Reform UK criticized a potential move to restore foreign aid to 0.7% of national income.
What’s reported
Andy Burnham will become the UK’s sixth prime minister in a decade on Monday.
He will go to Buckingham Palace to accept the role from the king before making appointments.
His first Downing Street address will seek an optimistic but realistic note about Britain’s problems.
He is expected to take steps to bring down energy bills and may target bus fares.
He is preparing to open the door to more oil and gas drilling in the North Sea in existing areas.
Burnham will say he is “acutely conscious” of being the sixth PM in 10 years and argue for political stability.
He will outline a 10-year plan for the country focused on early investment.
Shabana Mahmood is widely believed to be made chancellor; Ed Miliband foreign secretary.
Jonathan Reynolds is regarded as business secretary; Lou Haigh expected as leading Cabinet Office minister.
Angela Rayner is said to be lined up for health secretary but may need persuading.
Burnham has not made major policy commitments beyond sticking to manifesto pledges on VAT, national insurance, income tax, and scrapping digital ID cards.
Donald Trump congratulated Burnham for agreeing to open up North Sea oil fields “all the way.”
Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell said it was a “change of emphasis” rather than a change of policy.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage criticized a potential plan to restore foreign aid to 0.7% of national income.
Conservatives accused Burnham of planning tax increases; Kemi Badenoch called his comments “airy-fairy stuff.”
Keir Starmer released a video saying he was “so proud” to leave the country “in a much better state.”
Open questions
Which specific individuals will be appointed to which cabinet positions.
Whether Angela Rayner will accept the health secretary role.
The exact details of Burnham’s plans for Thames Water.
Whether Burnham will pursue a wealth tax.
Key figures
Andy Burnham, Labour leader and incoming prime minister
Shabana Mahmood, expected chancellor
Ed Miliband, expected foreign secretary
Jonathan Reynolds, chief whip, expected business secretary
Lou Haigh, expected leading Cabinet Office minister
Angela Rayner, former deputy prime minister, expected health secretary
Lucy Powell, Labour deputy leader
Donald Trump, former US president
Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader
Kemi Badenoch, Conservative leader
Keir Starmer, outgoing prime minister
Sources: The Guardian
