The UK’s new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham has pledged to bring stability to the country’s politics, declaring his premiership will be a ‘circuit breaker for Britain’. Speaking in Downing Street, the former mayor of Manchester, who only re-entered parliament a month ago, promised a new economic model - but acknowledged his plans will take time.
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TRANSCRIPT
With cheering supporters dotted along the side of the footpath, a black car drives through the famous iron gates; a new prime minister arriving in Downing Street.
Again.
It all looked pretty similar to the last time this happened, just two years ago, but there are already signs Andy Burnham plans to do things a little differently to those who’ve come before him.
He's doing away with the traditional podium, and addressing the nation without notes.
“I know people at home will be fed up with politics. We need to be better. And we will be. We will make this moment a circuit breaker for Britain, bringing forward the biggest changes in the last 40 years.”
That morning he’d visited a homeless charity, and used his speech to announce his first priority.
“I will soon go through that door behind me and issue my first instruction to end rough sleeping in our country.”
Fixing Britain’s other problems - sluggish growth, the high cost of living - that will take longer.
“Later this year, I will bring forward a new plan for Britain, a ten-year plan”
He pledged to honour defence commitments with international partners, although did not refer to the AUKUS pact by name.
It was a speech more about ‘vibes’ than policy.
“Let's build a new national sense of unity, of common purpose and positivity. Let us make this the moment when Britain starts to believe again, the moment we bring back hope. Thank you very much, everybody.”
His plan involves heavy decentralisation, even at the heart of government, pledging to work the majority of his week away from Downing Street in a so-called ‘number 10 of the north’ in Manchester, where he was mayor until last month.
He’ll focus heavily on domestic issues - a big change from his predecessor, who was considered an effective leader on the international stage but less so at home.
Keir Starmer declared after just 2 years, his work is done.
“And I am confident the Britain is now stronger and fairer than it was two years ago. I go with good grace. I go with a smile, and I go proud of everything that we have achieved. Thank you very much.”
Many Brits are more focused on summer holidays than politics at the moment, and there’s deep scepticism the change in leader will have much of an impact.
n the beachside town of Ramsgate, voters made it clear they have doubts about the new Prime Minister himself and his ability to deliver on his bold promise of a rewiring of the economy.
“I think it's a lost cause. I think we've all seen over the last couple of years of what the Labour government's done.”
“He will be another failed politician like the rest of them are.”
“Andy Burnham has to prove that he has more than just overriding ambition.”
Burnham re-entered parliament by winning a safe seat and faced no challengers for the leadership; it was, essentially, a coronation by Labour MPs.
Now the man dubbed the King of the North has to show he can win over the rest of the Kingdom.
