Britain’s seventh Prime Minister in 10 years, Andy Burnham has pledged to “rewire” the country and bring the government back to the people after being elected on Monday, promising to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, weak public services and slow economic growth.
Burnham will meet with King Charles before formally accepting his position and begin the task of forming a new government, after outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer has delivered his last address outside 10 Downing Street.
The ex-Greater Manchester mayor, nicknamed “King of the North”, has called his own accession to Labour’s leadership one of the most important events of the last 40 years in British politics.
He has promised to provide better living conditions, reduce costs of living and ensure prosperity for all of the nation.
Read more: UK PM Keir Starmer may resign on Monday: report
Now Burnham has a number of short-term issues to address: he must designate his cabinet and pick a finance minister, a position that has often been the deciding factor in the stability of past governments.
Initially, Energy Security Minister Ed Miliband was believed to be a front-runner but the only one now looking the part is Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood.
Burnham has stated that he has not completed his team yet, and does not want to be caught up in speculation.
His initial policy moves are also likely to receive a wide-eyed review.
One of the new government’s first measures will be to revoke plans for a universal digital identity document for workers, which was supposed to help curb illegal migration but was deemed impractical by lawmakers.
Burnham is also expected to pay attention to tax and spending policies, energy strategy and reforms to Britain’s struggling utilities sector.
Thames Water, which is heavily in debt, may be put under special government control, said Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell, in response to Burnham’s commitment to give public control of “critical services” a new boost and to restructure the economy to solve Britain’s long-standing problems.
Also read: Keir Starmer steps down as UK Prime Minister
