Andy Burnham, addressing the country for the first time from Downing Street after succeeding Keir Starmer, said his arrival in power would be a 'circuit breaker' moment for Britain and pledged a 10-year plan to transform the country.
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Key facts
- Andy Burnham has become UK prime minister, taking over from Keir Starmer.
- In his first address from outside No 10, he called his arrival a 'circuit breaker' moment for Britain.
- Burnham promised a new political and economic model bringing the 'biggest changes in 40 years'.
- He said he would set out a 10-year plan for the country later this year.
- He pledged his government would restore hope to millions of people.
Andy Burnham has said his arrival in power will be a “circuit breaker” moment for Britain, according to the Guardian, pledging that his government will restore hope to millions of people. The comments came in his first address to the country from outside No 10 Downing Street.
Burnham took over as prime minister from Keir Starmer. Speaking publicly for the first time in the role, he framed his premiership as the start of a significant shift in the direction of the country.
The new prime minister said he would set out a 10-year plan for the UK later this year, describing an ambition to transform the country from “where we are now to where I believe we all want Britain to be”.
According to the Guardian, Burnham promised a new political and economic model that would bring the “biggest changes in 40 years”. The phrase points to an intended overhaul of both the way the country is governed and how its economy operates.
The specifics of the 10-year plan were not detailed in his first address, with Burnham indicating that fuller proposals would be published later in the year. His initial remarks focused on setting out the scale of his ambitions rather than individual policies.
The Guardian reported the address as Burnham’s opening statement of intent, centred on the language of restoring hope and delivering change after taking over the leadership from Starmer.
Why it matters
A change of prime minister marks a potential shift in the UK's political and economic direction, and Burnham's promise of the 'biggest changes in 40 years' signals sweeping ambitions. The detail of his forthcoming 10-year plan will determine how far that rhetoric translates into policy affecting millions of people.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the new UK prime minister?
Andy Burnham has become prime minister, taking over from Keir Starmer, according to the Guardian.
What did Burnham promise in his first address?
He said his arrival would be a 'circuit breaker' moment for Britain, pledged to restore hope to millions of people, and promised a new political and economic model bringing the 'biggest changes in 40 years'.
When will Burnham's plan be published?
He said he would set out a 10-year plan for the UK later this year, aiming to transform the country from where it is now to where he believes people want Britain to be.
Timeline
- Burnham promises ‘circuit breaker’ moment for UK as he becomes PM
The Guardian World: New prime minister says his political and economic model will bring ‘biggest changes in 40 years’ UK politics live – latest updates Andy Burnham has said his arrival in power will be a “circuit breaker” moment for Britain, pledging that his government will restore hope to million
- Burnham vows his arrival in power will be ‘circuit breaker’ moment for UK
The Guardian World: New PM promises new political and economic model in ‘biggest changes in 40 years’ in first speech outside No 10 UK politics live – latest updates Andy Burnham has said his arrival in power will be a “circuit breaker” moment for Britain, pledging that his government will restore h