It has been just two years since the landslide election that returned Labour to power under the leadership of Sir Keir Starmer. Today, Starmer steps aside as Andy Burnham formally becomes the party's leader.
Burnham Confirmed as Labour Leader
Burnham, who returned to Westminster last month as Makerfield MP, will be confirmed as Labour leader at a special conference. In a keynote speech later, the man who will become Prime Minister on Monday will say that his Government will have the "courage to fix the big things that politics has neglected" and the "conviction to argue for our plans."
Allies have revealed the 'king of the north' will outline proposals to prioritise economic renewal, greater public control, and reindustrialisation. He will argue that Britain took "a series of wrong turns in the 1980s" when "political power was centralised and economic power privatised."
Plans for Economic Renewal
To make the financial system work for everyone, Burnham will say we need "a new path to the one we've been on for the last 40 years." It is his intention to steer the country in a direction that is "unashamedly Labour in our priorities and in the decisions we take, putting people and places at the heart of everything we do."
Promising to bring party members closer together, Burnham also plans to continue the work done since Sir Keir led Labour to power in 2024. He intends to continue improving NHS services and to strengthen protections for employment rights, writes Helen Corbett.
Leadership Support and Transition
Following the Makerfield by-election victory, Burnham soon gathered the support needed for a leadership bid, backed by 369 out of 403 MPs. His position was further strengthened when he gained the overwhelming support of the affiliated trade unions connected to the movement.
In his final Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Sir Keir said he was "proud to leave this country in a better shape than I found it." The outgoing prime minister remains confident about the future, insisting a victory at the next General Election is entirely possible.
Policy Directions and Cabinet Speculation
Some observers are still wondering how far Burnham's plans will move away from the current administration's policies. He intends to transfer more decision-making powers to local communities and set up a dedicated 'No 10 North' office in Manchester.
He has said he will stick to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ fiscal rules and to manifesto pledges not to raise income tax, VAT, or National Insurance. However, during an interview with Gary Lineker earlier this week, Burnham wouldn't rule out a wealth tax. "I'm not going to shy away from that. And at some point, that might be having to ask for a little more," he said.
The make-up of his top team in Cabinet has also not been confirmed, with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper all rumoured as potential picks for the role of Chancellor.
