Andy Burnham has promised to set a political direction that is “distinctively Labour” and not “out-Green the Greens or out-Reform Reform”.
Britain’s next prime minister said he would work with other parties where possible, but do so knowing “exactly where we stand.”
As he was crowned the leader of the Labour Party, he declared that he was “ready to lead” the country and promised to “answer the calls” of the public.
He said: “We are united, we put the power that comes from unity at the service of people and places who have been waiting too long for politics to let them hope again.”
Mr Burnham was confirmed as Labour’s next leader this week after he secured the backing of 349 Labour MPs and trade unions linked to the party.
However, he will have to wait until Sir Keir formally recommends him to the King as his successor on Monday before he is coronated as prime minister.
Read MoreBurnham will promise to undo Thatcher’s economic legacy in first speech as Labour leader
What are Andy Burnham’s key policies?
Frontrunners for Burnham’s cabinet revealed as prime minister-in-waiting picks top team
Key Points
- Burnham promises to not 'out-Reform Reform'
- PM in waiting has not picked Britain's next chancellor
- Five things Burnham will do to make Labour 'better'
- Burnham will unveil cabinet on Monday
- Andy Burnham claims he has a plan for change – it’s a shame he still hasn’t told us what it is
- Shabana Mahmood expected to be named as Burnham’s chancellor
Government needs 'courage' to fix things like social care - Burnham
19:15 , Harriette BoucherAndy Burnham has indicated one of his priorities as prime minister will be to fix social care, pledging to “expend quite a lot of political capital” on what he said has been a long-neglected sector.
He vowed to “grasp the nettle” of adult social care reform as a health charity warned his words will be “a benchmark against which his government will be measured”.
Mr Burnham insisted it is a “massive” priority for the public and acknowledged reform will “require something difficult”
The incoming prime minister also namechecked the issue in his first speech after being formally named Labour leader on Friday.
How adult social care works and is funded in England has been a thorny issue for many governments over the years.
Labour faced criticism after the party was elected in 2024 for scrapping plans for an £86,000 cap on the amount anyone in England would need to spend on their personal care over their lifetime, having argued the proposals were not “deliverable” in the time frame.
Burnham 'finalising' his pick for chancellor
19:00 , Harriette BoucherAndy Burnham has not yet decided who to appoint to his top team, saying he will do it the “proper way” when he is sworn in as prime minister.
Asked if knew in his own mind who his Chancellor would be, he said: “I am finalising those decisions, and I will come to conclusions very shortly, and then I will announce those on Monday.
“So that’s the normal way. You know, people want everything earlier these days, and there’s lots of speculation, but that’s the orderly way to do it, and I have done it I believe in the right way.
“I’m not in the job yet, but when I am, I will do it in the proper way.”
The Labour leader said announcing cabinet posts ahead of Monday would be “chaotic”.
In The Room: Why people are already wrong about Shabana Mahmood
18:38 , Harriette BoucherReform could be hit with £3m tax bill because of Farage’s £5m donation, tax expert claims
18:26 , Harriette boucherPolitical Correspondent Millie Cooke writes:
Reform UK could be hit with a £3m tax bill as a result of Nigel Farage's undeclared £5m donation, a tax expert has claimed.
It comes after reports that the Reform leader told senior party figures he would need “a million a year” to cover lost earnings if he stood for parliament in the 2024 general election, raising further questions about why he was given the money.
Dan Neidle, of Tax Policy Associates Ltd, said that, if the reporting is correct, Reform could be liable for a tax bill of up to £3bn, adding that he “would now be surprised if HMRC do not open an enquiry”.
However, the party has denied the report published by The Guardian, saying it is “fake and wholly incorrect”.
The Reform UK leader received the sum from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne in 2024, before announcing his decision to stand in the general election. Mr Farage is now being investigated by the Commons standards watchdog because he failed to declare it after he became an MP.
Read more:
Reform could be hit with £3m tax bill because of £5m donation, tax expert claims
Burnham: 'I'm not going to let this job change me'
18:09 , Harriette BoucherLabour leader Andy Burnham told supporters he would not let his new role change him and that he would put the party back in touch with ordinary people, ahead of becoming prime minister next week.
The Makerfield MP told Labour activists during a speech in Gravesend, Kent: “I’m not going to let this job change me. I’ll remain on the ground.
“I will remain close to people. I will listen to what they say. I will put us back in touch with ordinary people.
“I will give it my all. I will give my all to support all of you here in Kent to make sure Labour connects with people here.”
He shared a similar sentiment at the London conference in which he was crowned leader today.
“I also want you to know is that I won’t change. I have a style, it’s my style, I will always stay close to the ground, close to the people,” he said.
“I will always stay the same.”
Britain will not get better under Burnham says Farage as he calls for general election
17:50 , Harriette BoucherBurnham insists No 10 North will give power to the entire country
17:43 , Harriette BoucherAndy Burnham has told a town in northwest Kent that his No 10 North will be as much for them as it is for Makerfield.
The next prime minister sought to allay concerns that the planned outpost in Manchester will not benefit other regions.
He told local Labour activists at Gravesend Town Pier that he would be “leading from the front” to drive devolution from No 10 North.
The changes would be about making all parts of the UK “feel that they’ve got the power that they need to get on and make changes to the lives of their residents”, he insisted.
“I know it’s going to be in the North. That doesn’t mean it’s just for the North.
“No 10 North will be as much for Gravesend as it will be for Makerfield, and we want to get the power into your hands.”
Asked whether his plan was to spend Fridays working from the new outpost based in Manchester, he said: “No, it’s more than that.
“I want all places to have more power, to do more for themselves, to reindustrialise, to build the council homes that places like this need.
“So you will see a significant shift of gear when it comes to the devolution of power.”
Farage tries to justify Brexit again
17:37 , Political editor David MaddoxNigel Farage was introduced as the man who gave Britain Brexit and argues that it was joining the European Economic Community was the reason power left communities in Britain.
He mocked Andy Burnham for claiming it was Thatcherite economics that was responsible for power seeping away from the British people.
But celebrating his role in Brexit, he said: “I have done more than anybody in British history to bring power back to this country.”
Burnham is ‘utterly vacuous’, says Farage
17:24 , Political editor David MaddoxNigel Farage used his CPAC speech in London to describe Andy Burnham as “the great chameleon of British politics”.
He mocked him for claiming the UK’s problems are because of what happened in the 1980s.
“That’s 40 years ago,” said Farage.
He described Mr Burnham’s acceptance speech as “utterly vacuous”, noting that he will on Monday be the seventh British prime minister in a decade.
“We used to make fun of the Italians,” he added.
Andy Burnham tells Labour: I’m your last chance
17:18 , Harriette Boucher
Andy Burnham tells Labour: I’m your last chance
Farage makes a snide remark about UK
17:09 , Political editor David MaddoxNigel Farage arrives on the stage for CPAC UK with a remark about his country: “It’s great to see CPAC here in what we used to call Great Britain.”
He went on: “I would like to say welcome to Great Britain but we are actually broken Britain.”
The Reform UK leader had been introduced at the ultra conservative conference organised by former prime minister Liz Truss as the man the establish wants to destroy.
“They have thrown everything at him - milk shakes and now a kangaroo court in parliament.”
He claimed that the values of the country are “under attack in just the most extraordinary way.”
Everything Andy Burnham promised as he was crowned Labour leader
17:00 , Harriette BoucherAn optimistic Andy Burnham declared he was “ready to lead” after being crowned as the next leader of the Labour Party on Friday.
The next prime minister promised to return "the Labour Party they once knew" and said today was the most significant change in our politics in the last forty years.
But he also admitted this was his party’s “last chance for change” after his party hadn’t been good enough.
He laid out five party promises, vowing to build a new Labour culture, a new politics, be a leader for all of the UK, change Labour’s “political direction”, and decentralise Whitehall and Westminster.
Mr Burnham also promised to lead a party that is “distinctively Labour” and not out-Green the Greens or out-Reform Reform.
He revealed that he has not picked his chancellor or the rest of his cabinet, but said the reshuffle would “lift up a more united Britain”.
Mr Burnham paid tribute to Sir Keir Starmer for taking Labour from its worst defeat to "one of our best victories in our history", and singled out Lord David Blunkett, Baroness Margaret Beckett and Lord Neil Kinnock as the people who got him to where he is today.
Insisting he is ready for government, the new Labour leader said that taking over as prime minister is a "proud moment".
“It is one for which I am ready. I am ready, ready to lead and to build on the foundation laid by one person more than any other", he said.
In pictures: Workers remove Starmer's belongings to make way for Burnham
16:45 , Harriette Boucher
Burnham 'has much more change to bring' following Starmer
16:32 , Harriette BoucherAndy Burnham said he had “much more change to bring” following Keir Starmer’s exit.
The new Labour leader said at a stump speech in Gravesend, Kent: “Obviously, we’ve already brought change. We’ve obviously got our MPs here today.
“We’ve been working hard with the Labour government, and we’ve changed things already.“We’ve brought NHS waiting lists down, finally getting going in the right direction.
“They’ve been going in the wrong direction since I was the health secretary a long time ago, but it’s good to see that change coming through.
“Rights for workers, rights for renters, rail renationalised – that was a really important thing that the Government has done – and only this week we passed the Hillsborough law… so no one in this country goes through what they did.”
He added that Sir Keir “leaves a legacy of a country that will be about justice and fairness going forward, and that is a huge thing, but we’ve got much more change to bring”.
Ask Chris Blackhurst anything on Andy Burnham’s economic plans as PM
16:20 , Harriette BoucherRenowned business journalist Chris Blackhurst answers your questions on Andy Burnham’s £38bn tax raid, the wealth tax he won’t rule out, his ‘King of the North’ label, and whether business-friendly socialism can survive contact with the bond markets:
Ask business journalist Chris Blackhurst anything on Burnham’s economic plans as PM
Burnham not involved in ousting Starmer but seized on the moment, he says
16:03 , Harriette BoucherAndy Burnham has said he “wasn’t in the position to be involved” in the decision to oust Keir Starmer, but had to respond to a “big moment”.
Asked whether it was right for him to be talking about ending Labour infighting after just toppling the outgoing Prime Minister, he told reporters: “Well, there was obviously a decision taken by the PLP.
“It wasn’t by me… I wasn’t in parliament. I wasn’t in the position to be involved in that in terms of the decisions that the Parliamentary Labour Party came to. But obviously, in politics, you have to respond to the big moments.
“The May elections were a big moment, but it was up to our Members of Parliament, and obviously I then responded.”
What Shabana Mahmood as chancellor could mean for your money and taxes
15:53 , Harriette BoucherBusiness and Money Editor Karl Matchett writes:
Andy Burnham’s cabinet is starting to become a little clearer, with one key position – chancellor – now widely expected to be filled by Shabana Mahmood.
While the current home secretary has previously held the role of shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, she does not have an economics background, and there is a lack of certainty over her economic leanings and preferences.
It remains to be seen how her economic policies align with Mr Burnham’s own, but so far, the UK bond markets appear to have been reassured by the prospect of her taking on the role, in favour of the other rumoured option, Ed Miliband.
“The market trusts Mahmood to take a sensible approach to economic policy, and to tackle the hard questions of welfare spending,” said Kathleen Brooks, research director at online investment firm XTB.
Previous positions on tax changes and economic policy don’t necessarily dictate what Ms Mahmood will attempt to pursue once formally in the position, but it could give an indication as to potential future changes from No 11 Downing Street.
Here’s what we know about her fiscal ideas so far – and how they might affect Britons if implemented.
What Shabana Mahmood as chancellor could mean for your money and taxes
Burnham will unveil cabinet on Monday
15:49 , Harriette BoucherAndy Burnham has said he would announce his cabinet on Monday, insisting that revealing ministerial appointments before he enters No 10 would cause “complete chaos”.
He revealed earlier that he had not picked his chancellor or the rest of his cabinet, but said the reshuffle would “lift up a more united Britain”.
“I haven’t made any decisions yet about who will be in that top team,” he said.
“I will soon and when I have, you will see it reflects all parts of our parties, communities, and it will reflect your own place within this great party of ours.”
Andy Burnham becomes Labour leader ready to take over as PM on Monday
15:38 , Harriette BoucherComment: Burnham’s speech was the most backward-looking rubbish I’ve ever heard
15:45 , Harriette BoucherChief political commentator John Rentoul writes:
It is said of Andy Burnham that he talks left and acts right. In his acceptance speech to the Labour Party, though, he talked backwards – and we have to hope that his actions will take him forwards.
It was the most backward-looking speech I have heard from a front-rank politician. It was an explicit call to return to the 1970s, before everything went wrong in the 1980s.
He talked nostalgically of steel works and iron works, the coal fields, the shipyards of Scotland and the north-east and the dockyards of Liverpool and London. He even spoke of “the mills across the Pennines”. It was as if Blake’s “Jerusalem” had been turned into a manifesto.
His buzzword, “reindustrialisation”, cropped up a couple of times. So far it has been a feel-good notion, conjuring up images of high-tech precision engineering, reinventing our manufacturing past in a modern setting. But today, it sounded like a threat – to send teenagers down the pits and destroy Ed Miliband’s net zero plans that way.
Read more:
Burnham’s speech was the most backward-looking rubbish I’ve ever heard
Five questions facing Andy Burnham on the UK economy
15:30 , Harriette BoucherDays after the England football manager was criticised for a lack of adventure and imagination, Britain is about to get a new prime minister who can hardly afford to be any more daring.
Economists say Andy Burnham walks into a tricky situation, with precious little fiscal headroom and where mistakes could quickly prove costly.
The latest GDP figures underlined the scale of the challenge. The economy grew by just 0.1 per cent in May – an improvement on April's contraction, but hardly the sign of a country powering ahead.
Suren Thiru, chief economist at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, described the figures as a “dishearteningly weak rebound” that “is unlikely to ease anxiety over the UK's economic health”. He warned the latest data highlighted “the UK's vulnerability” to renewed geopolitical tensions, with higher oil prices threatening to fuel inflation and further erode the incoming prime minister's room for manoeuvre.
So what exactly does Mr Burnham inherit, where are the biggest risks, and where are the opportunities?
Five questions facing Andy Burnham on the UK economy
Labour draw level with Reform in new poll
15:21 , Harriette BoucherLabour's has polled its highest since November 2025, drawing level with Reform as Andy Burnham becomes leader.
In a voting intention poll from Survation, Labour and Reform are now tied at 24 per cent each.
It is also Reform's lowest polling since just after the May 2025 local elections.
Labour’s +5 is their largest upward movement since the general election.
Karl Turner 'desperate' for Burnham to restore the whip
15:08 , Harriette BoucherKarl Turner, who had the Labour whip suspended after criticising Keir Starmer and his government, said he is “desperate to get that whip”.
“I can hardly contain the excitement of being whipped by Andy Burnham's new government,” he told Sky News.
“I'm excited. I'm enthusiastic. What I saw today was a geezer on a stage, looking like any ordinary person in a nice suit, and that's what we need to deliver for the country.”
On Friday, Burnham said he would not seek “to suspend or punish members who have principled views that may be different from mine.”
Mr Turner was suspended following criticism surrounding the government’s plan to restrict jury trials.
“It was ludicrous,” he added.
“Thank goodness Andy Burnham's here, and I'm glad to have the whip back.”
He told the broadcaster he had “no sympathy” for Keir Starmer.
“Do I feel sympathy with him? No, absolutely, categorically not. He failed as prime minister, and it was his own doing.”
Analysis: Burnham has many questions to answer – so why is he ducking them?
14:50 , Harriette BoucherPolitical editor David Maddox attended the unveiling of Andy Burnham as Labour leader, where the PM-in-waiting once again failed to answer questions from the media:
Burnham can’t keep ducking scrutiny. Here’s how he can assure voters he’s fit to lead
Burnham must 'show he’s the right person', says Unison chair
14:48 , Harriette BoucherThe chair of Unison’s Labour Link committee has Andy Burnham must show he is the right person to deliver Labour’s party promises.
Following his coronation as leader, Linda Hobson said: “Andy Burnham has earned respect across the Labour movement, and often the political divide, for his achievements.
“Now it’s over to him to show he’s the right person to deliver the party’s promise of change when Labour won its landslide in 2024.”
Andy Burnham’s speech in full as he is confirmed as Labour leader
14:35 , Harriette Boucher
Andy Burnham’s speech in full as he is confirmed as Labour leader
Everything Andy Burnham promised as he was crowned Labour leader
14:23 , Harriette BoucherAn optimistic Andy Burnham declared he was “ready to lead” after being crowned as the next leader of the Labour Party on Friday.
The next prime minister promised to return "the Labour Party they once knew" and said today was the most significant change in our politics in the last forty years.
But he also admitted this was his party’s “last chance for change” after his party hadn’t been good enough.
He laid out five party promises, vowing to build a new Labour culture, a new politics, be a leader for all of the UK, change Labour’s “political direction”, and decentralise Whitehall and Westminster.
Mr Burnham also promised to lead a party that is “distinctively Labour” and not out-Green the Greens or out-Reform Reform.
He revealed that he has not picked his chancellor or the rest of his cabinet, but said the reshuffle would “lift up a more united Britain”.
Mr Burnham paid tribute to Sir Keir Starmer for taking Labour from its worst defeat to "one of our best victories in our history", and singled out Lord David Blunkett, Baroness Margaret Beckett and Lord Neil Kinnock as the people who got him to where he is today.
Insisting he is ready for government, the new Labour leader said that taking over as prime minister is a "proud moment".
“It is one for which I am ready. I am ready, ready to lead and to build on the foundation laid by one person more than any other", he said.
Analysis: Andy Burnham claims he has a plan for change – it’s a shame he still hasn’t told us what it is
14:09 , Harriette BoucherAs Andy Burnham was announced as the new leader of the Labour Party with 379 nominations from MPs and the backing of all the affiliated trade unions and socialist groups – he vowed “I am ready” to lead and pledged an agenda for change.
The atmosphere of Labour members in the room was positive as they welcomed their new leader, who told them to stop fighting each other and get together to fight “the new right”.
In an acceptance speech which went on for almost 40 minutes, Mr Burnham was full of good vibes, emphasising his attitude as a man of the people and someone who has learnt from his past mistakes.
But as a new era starts, there are still so many uncertainties. When he said “I have a plan”, those of us outside the cheering party members, would have liked a bit more detail on what exactly that plan is.
Extraordinarily, Mr Burnham admitted that with just three days before taking up the most important office in the country, he still has not decided who will fill his top ministerial positions – although there is some scepticism about that claim.
Andy Burnham claims he has a plan for change – shame he hasn’t told us what it is
Watch: Burnham pledges to be a leader for 'all places' in UK
14:00 , Harriette BoucherSwinney tells Burnham that 'Scotland has right to decide its future'
13:54 , Harriette BoucherJohn Swinney has congratulated Andy Burnham on becoming Labour leader, but said their relationship must respect “Scotland’s right to decide our future.”
“I’ll work constructively with the next prime minister to improve the lives of people in Scotland,” the first minister wrote on X.
“That relationship must respect the simple democratic principle that Scotland has the right to decide our future.”
Before Mr Burnham was crowned leader, Jenny Gilruth confirmed that Mr Swinney will be meeting Mr Burnham next week.
The deputy foreign minister called on the government to “grant the Scottish people a referendum” and said said the Scottish government would work with Mr Burnham in “good faith”.
“Andy Burnham, I think, will be Scotland’s seventh Prime Minister in 10 years when he comes into office, which I think tells you something about the instability we’ve seen from the UK Government, regardless of party, over the past decade.
“That’s not been good for Scotland. It’s not been good for the UK. But look, Andy Burnham’s coming in. He’s promising that he wants to work with a devolved government, so he will find in us a willing partner, and we will take him at his word and work with him in good faith.”
When will Andy Burnham become prime minister?
13:44 , Harriette BoucherThe Independent’s Albert Toth writes:
Andy Burnham is set to become Britain’s next prime minister after he succeeded Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader on Friday.
The fast-paced sequence of events will see the former Manchester mayor in office just under a month after Sir Keir announced his intention to stand down.
Mr Burnham first had to become a Labour MP – and then the party leader – to move into Number 10.
But with all other potential challengers stepping aside for the veteran politician, his path was surprisingly clear.
Labour MPs were invited to nominate their new leader between 9 and 16 July. By close of the contest, Mr Burnham had received 379 out of 403 nominations (94 per cent) – making it mathematically impossible for any other challenger to receive the required 20 per cent to stand against him.
Here’s what happens next:
When will Andy Burnham become prime minister?
Burnham vows to correct 'wrong turns' of Thatcher's economic legacy
13:40 , Harriette BoucherLabour has one more chance - Burnham
13:32 , Harriette BoucherThis is the Labour Party’s “last chance to change”, Andy Burnham has said.
The new leader and next prime minister told his party that the British public had given them a “fair hearing” and then another chance after that.
He said he told Makerfield that Labour “hadn’t been good enough” and outlined what he would do to fix that, and the constituents “started to listen again”.
“But let's be honest, everybody, this is a last chance to change, and we must take it together, united together.
“[We must] tell people what we will do, rather than always going on about others. If we do more of that, let's see if we can get the ear of the country as well, not just Makerfield.”
Removal van seen on Downing Street minutes after Burnham crowned new Labour leader
13:26 , Harriette BoucherIn pictures: Burnham's Labour leadership coronation
13:26 , Harriette Boucher
'I won't change, I will always stay the same,' declares Burnham
13:23 , Harriette BoucherAndy Burnham has promised not to change his style as prime minister, saying he will “always stay the same”.
The new Labour leader said: “I’ve given this party everything I’ve had, but now it’s done the same for me.
“I have listened and learned as I’ve gone along. You’ll be pleased to know, and hopefully, I’ve got better as a result.
“You can be sure of this. I know what I believe after 25 years as an elected Labour representative, and I know what I want to do working with you all. I have a plan.
“And what I also want you to know is that I won’t change. I have a style, it’s my style, I will always stay close to the ground, close to the people.”
He added: “I will always stay the same.”
Analysis: Burnham says he has a plan - but what is it?
13:17 , Political editor David MaddoxAndy Burnham was announced as the new leader of the Labour Party to acclaim with 379 nominations from MPs and the backing of all the affiliated trade unions and socialist groups but he has had little to tease out what he will really do as prime minister.
In an acceptance speech which went on for almost 40 minutes, Mr Burnham was full of good vibes, emphasising his attitude as a man of the people and someone who has learnt from his past mistakes.
But when he said “I have a plan” those of us in the room and watching on televisions who were not part of the cheering party members would have liked a bit more detail on what it is.
Extraordinarily he admitted he still has not decided who will fill his top ministerial positions - although there is some scepticism about that claim.
Instead his five points can be summed up as party unity, national unity, a new politics to fix big problems, more devolution and being “distinctively Labour”.
None of these things really put flesh on the bone on what he means about reversing four decades of economic consensus with an end to Thatcherite policies, or the so-called Makerfield test on whether things benefit communities and the left behind working classes.
There was some humility though from a man who is promising “the biggest turning” in British politics for 40 years.
It was when he referenced being booed by Liverpool fans at the Kop in 2009 over his failure to deal with the issues of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster properly as a personal turning point when he knew he had to do things differently.
Mr Burnham though is clear about the challenge. He has just told his party that “this is a last chance”. He now has three years to show he and they can seize the opportunity.
Powell quizzed on whether she will be the next deputy PM
13:12 , Harriette BoucherLucy Powell, the deputy leader of the Labour, has been questioned over whether she hopes to be made the next deputy prime minister.
Asked if she would be disappointed if she was not given the job, she told Sky News: “I’m not getting into any of these things. I love my job as deputy leader.”
Ms Powell added: “I have my own mandate on Monday, on Tuesday, this time next year.
“I think it’s a really important relationship, the leader and the deputy working together, but able to have a slightly different relationship.”
Watch: Burnham sets out 'distinctively Labour' vision
13:08 , Harriette BoucherBurnham singles out three 'mentors and friends' to thank for their influence
13:05 , Harriette BoucherAs he wound down his first speech as Labour leader, Andy Burnham thanked three people for getting him to where he is today.
The next prime minister singled out Lord David Blunkett, Baroness Margaret Beckett and Lord Neil Kinnock, for their influence on his political career.
He said Lord Blunkett had been “the truest mentor to me”, and told Baroness Beckett: “You were a wonderful friend to me and guide throughout my my time in the cabinet. You were always there for me to give me that nudge that I needed.”
And turning to Lord Kinnock, he said: “He is the man that fired up a young Andy Burnham in the North West of England in the mid 1980s with rhetoric of the kind that remains unmatched, I would say, in modern politics.
“It has always been something that I treasure to get a message from him with his advice and the care and the thought he puts in to those messages. They they mean everything to me.
“I would not be standing here, I would have not have joined this great party of ours in 1985 had it not been for the legend that is Neil Kinnock.”
Burnham promises not to 'out-Reform Reform'
12:52 , Harriette BoucherAndy Burnham has promised to lead a party that is “distinctively Labour” and not out-Green the Greens or out-Reform Reform.
“Yes, we will work with other parties where we can, but in doing so have the clarity of knowing exactly where we stand.
“As your leader, I will set a direction that is distinctively Labour. We won’t try to out-green the Greens or out-reform Reform, or doing what we’ve done in the past of wearing too many Tory clothes.
“Let me tell you, I’m quite happy that Kemi doesn’t approve of my wardrobe choices, because I’m not keen on theirs either.
“From here, we do it differently. We win by being us, boldly, boldly, confidently, authentically us. Labour. That’s how we win.”
Burnham promises five things to make Labour 'better'
12:48 , Harriette BoucherAs he was crowned Labour leader, Andy Burnham vowed five things he would do to make Labour “better”.
Here are his party promises -
1. Build a new Labour culture
Mr Burnham vowed to “work relentlessly to build a culture of one Labour team”.
He said: “We won't beat Britain's right if we are consumed by infighting and pulling in different directions.”
2. Build a “new politics”.
“The country is crying out for it,” he said.
“We might enjoy the point scoring against others. The public don't.
“How can politicians point fingers when living standards are falling, and politics as a whole isn't working for them?”
3. Change Labour’s “political direction”
“My third change is our political direction. Yes, we will work with other parties where we can, but doing so from the clarity of knowing exactly where we stand.
“As your leader, I will set a direction that is distinctively Labour. We won't try to out-Green the Greens, or out-Reform Reform.”
4. Be a leader for all of the UK
“I will be a leader for the north, the south, the east, and the west, for Scotland, Wales, and for Northern Ireland.
“I do the same for everywhere, because I see the same challenges everywhere I look.”
5. Take back the power from Westminster
Mr Burnham promised he would take back the power back from Westminster and Whitehall, “and give it to the place where you live”.
“We will take power back from Westminster and Whitehall, and give it to the place where you live – more power over life’s essentials, so you can make them work better and more affordable for people.”
Today is the most significant change moment in our politics in the last forty years, Burnham says
12:35 , Millie CookeAndy Burnham has said today is "the most significant change moment in our politics in the last forty years" as he set out his vision for government.
Mr Burnham insisted he would be "a leader for the North, the South, the East and the West, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland".
He added: "Yes the North of England has given me so much. Everything in fact. In return I have sought to give it the strongest voice I could."
Burnham has not picked chancellor but says cabinet will 'lift up a more united Britain'
12:26 , Harriette BoucherAndy Burnham’s cabinet, which is expected to be revealed on Monday, will “lift up a strong, more united Britain”, he said.
The incoming prime minister said he had not made his mind up on cabinet posts, including chancellor.
“I haven’t made any decisions yet about who will be in that top team,” he said.
“I will soon and when I have, you will see it reflects all parts of our parties, communities, and it will reflect your own place within this great party of ours.”
Burnham pays tribute to Starmer
12:22 , Millie CookeAndy Burnham has paid tribute to Sir Keir Starmer for taking Labour from its worst defeat to "one of our best victories in our history" - despite the new Labour leader's key role in toppling him.
Addressing the party in London, Mr Burnham - who is set to take over as prime minister on Monday - said: "Today we thank Keir for his service to our party and our country".
Insisting he is ready for government, the new Labour leader said that taking over as prime minister is a "proud moment".
“It is one for which I am ready. I am ready, ready to lead and to build on the foundation laid by one person more than any other", he said.
In pictures: Burnham declares he is 'ready' to lead country
12:21 , Harriette Boucher
Burnham promises to give people back 'the Labour Party they once knew'
12:19 , Millie CookeAndy Burnham has promised to give people back "the Labour Party they once knew" in his first speech as party leader.
He told a conference in London: "All of them heard the call from the people of Makerfield for a return of the Labour they once knew. We will be that Labour once again.
"We are united today and we put the power that comes from that unity at the service of people and places who have been waiting too long for politics to let them hope again. That’s what we’re doing."
Burnham 'ready to lead' UK as he vows to answer Britons' calls
12:18 , Harriette BoucherAndy Burnham has declared that he is ready to be prime minister as he stepped up to the podium in London.
He said he would “answer the call” from the people of Makerfield and “forgotten places”.
“We are united, we put the power that comes from unity at the service of people and place who have been waiting too long for politics to let them hope again.”
'It's hardly a nail biter', Shabana Mahmood notes as she announces Burnham victory
12:16 , Millie CookeShabana Mahmood, in her capacity as chair of Labour's ruling National Executive Committee (NEC), has announced Andy Burnham as leader of the Labour Party.
Addressing the conference, she joked that the results will be "hardly a nail biter", with Andy Burnham having received almost every single nomination.
One nomination was given to Labour MP Catherine West, who threatened to stand as a leadership candidate in order to oust Sir Keir Starmer earlier this year.
Mahmood announces Burnham as Labour leader
12:14 , Harriette BoucherShabana Mahmood has announced Andy Burnham as the next leader of the Labour Party.
The announcement from the National Executive Committee was met with clapping and cheers from the room.
Mahmood steps up to announce next Labour leader
12:13 , Harriette BoucherShabana Mahmood, the chair of the National Executive Committee, has stepped up to the podium to announce the new leader of the Labour party.
In pictures: Burnham, Powell and Mahmood as coronation kicks off
12:10 , Harriette Boucher
Powell praises Starmer as 'guy who helped save Labour'
12:08 , Harriette BoucherLucy Powell has kicked off her opening speech praising Keir Starmer.
“His legacy will be as the guy who helped save the Labour Party,” she said.
She hailed the outgoing prime minister for leading the party to a “historic” victory in 2024 and delivering on Labour values.
The deputy Labour leader also thanked Sir Keir for conducting himself with “dignity and grace” in recent weeks.
Burnham ditches casual t-shirt for shirt and tie as he takes over as Labour leader
12:05 , Millie CookeAndy Burnham has ditched his typical casual black t-shirt, instead dressing in a shirt and tie as he prepares to take over as Labour leader.
This is a marked difference from his victory speech in Makerfield, where he remained in his typical 'Manchester mayor' attire.
Just weeks later, it seems we're getting a more professional Mr Burnham - and one that seeks to show he is ready to be Britain's next prime minister.
Breaking: Lucy Powell kicks off conference
12:05 , Harriette BoucherLabour deputy leader Lucy Powell has kicked off the conference in which Andy Burnham will be crowned the next Labour leader.
“It feels like the last day of term,” she said.
Burnham arrives for Labour Party leadership special conference in London
11:58 , Harriette Boucher
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