Andy Burnham Becomes UK Prime Minister, Vows New Economic and Political Model

Andy Burnham has been sworn in as the new prime minister of the United Kingdom, replacing Keir Starmer. In his first speech outside 10 Downing Street, Burnham promised a "new political model and a new economic model" for the country. He acknowledged being the seventh prime minister since 2016 and said his generation of politicians must raise their game. Burnham, a former mayor of Manchester and a minister under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, criticized the policies of Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s, saying they led to centralization, privatization, and deindustrialization. He pledged to shift power away from London and build more affordable housing. His first instruction as prime minister was to end rough sleeping. He also promised to address the cost-of-living crisis and will announce measures starting Tuesday. Burnham returned to Parliament in June by winning a special election and took his seat on July 12, shortly after Starmer announced his resignation. Starmer, in his farewell speech, said Labour won a landslide in 2024 and that public services are improving. Burnham's past criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump could create early tensions in UK-U.S. relations. He said he would honor defense commitments to international partners while focusing on domestic issues.