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Burnham readies cabinet
Andy Burnham said he would announce his cabinet on Monday and defended waiting until he enters Downing Street, telling reporters that doing it earlier would cause “chaos”.
“Andy Burnham is declared leader of UK's Labour Party, pledges to restore hope Andy Burnham has been officially declared leader of Britain’s governing Labour Party, clearing his final hurdle to taking office as prime minister next week LONDON -- LONDON (AP) — Andy Burnham was officially declared leader of Britain's governing Labour Party on Friday, promising to bring hope to the British people and purpose to the floundering government as he cleared his final hurdle to take office as prime minister next week”
Burnham said, “Because you do that when you do take over,” and added that he was “finalising” his decisions and would announce them on Monday.
The BBC said Burnham used his speech to make five pledges as leader, including building a “new type of politics” and shifting power from Westminster.
The BBC also reported that Monday would bring more than Burnham’s cabinet announcement, when Prime Minister Keir Starmer will tender his official resignation to King Charles.
Burnham’s leadership was confirmed after he secured nominations from 379 of the 403 Labour lawmakers in the House of Commons, clearing his final hurdle to taking office as prime minister next week, according to ABC News.
Reactions split across parties
Conservatives pressed Burnham to come to Parliament, with the Guardian quoting Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake saying, “Andy Burnham says he has a plan, so what is it? The leader of the Labour party, and soon-to-be prime minister, should come to parliament and explain it.”
Northern Ireland’s first minister Michelle O’Neill called for a “different approach” from Burnham, and DUP leader Gavin Robinson said Burnham needs to “deliver a change of direction”.
The BBC reported that reaction from across the political spectrum was split, with Conservatives calling for scrutiny in Parliament while the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party suggested openness to working with him.
ABC News said Burnham told an audience of lawmakers, party activists and trade union leaders, “We’re going to give them hope back,” and added, “I have a plan,” to reassure a party that has seen its popularity nosedive.
In his acceptance speech, Burnham also said the country was “crying out for a new politics,” and warned Labour it was “last chance to change” as a united movement, according to the Guardian.
Devolution, economy, and next steps
Burnham’s agenda in his first speech as leader included handing power to communities and building more social and council housing, with the Guardian saying he wanted to focus on “handing power to communities” and being “a pro-business leader”.
“Freya Scott-Turner Live reporter Makerfield by-election won, nominations from MPs secured; and now, Andy Burnham has been officially confirmed as leader of the Labour Party”
ABC News reported that he promised to deliver “hope in every heart” and “good growth in every post code,” including transferring power from central government in London to local leaders in cities and regions.
Burnham told the audience, “We will take power back from Westminster and Whitehall and give it to the place you live,” and said “More power over life’s essentials so you can make them work better,” according to ABC News.
The BBC said Monday would also be the day Starmer tenders his resignation to King Charles, and the monarch will then invite Burnham to form a new government.
CNN framed the stakes as Burnham becoming Britain’s seventh prime minister in a decade when he succeeds Keir Starmer on Monday, with his pledges to give people “hope back” and challenge a political culture and economic model he said “simply doesn’t work well enough for ordinary people.”
