Burnham to promise new path for UK when he becomes new Labour leader

Andy Burnham will set out a new direction for Britain in a speech on Friday as he prepares to assume the Labour leadership. The Makerfield MP is due to be confirmed in the role at a special event in central London, ahead of taking over from Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister on Monday. In his address, Burnham will declare that, once in Downing Street, the government will be "unashamedly Labour in our priorities" and possess the "courage to fix the big things that government has neglected". He said making the system work for people across the UK will require "a new way to the one we've been on for the past 40 years". Burnham secured his position as the sole leadership contender after receiving the backing of 379 Labour MPs and the majority of trade unions affiliated with the party earlier this week. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, in her capacity as chair of Labour’s national executive committee, will announce him as the new leader at the conference. His ascent follows a by‑election victory in Makerfield last month, marking an accelerated rise to power for the former Greater Manchester mayor. In his first speech as Labour leader, Burnham will say the government will be "focused on driving growth in every postcode and returning power to communities" when he becomes prime minister. He will also pledge that his administration will have "the courage to fix the big things that government has neglected" and the "conviction to argue for our plans". Promising a "distinctively Labour" economic programme, Burnham said his plans involve greater public ownership of utilities such as water and a push for reindustrialisation. He added that Labour would be more united under his leadership and more open to cooperating with other parties on the country’s long‑term challenges. Burnham vowed to be a leader "for the north and the south, for Scotland, for Wales and for Northern Ireland, and for every town and every city in every region and part of this great country". He will also pay tribute to Sir Keir for winning the 2024 general election and point to NHS improvements and investment in public services as achievements of the current Labour administration. Sir Keir Starmer resigned as Labour leader last month, stating he recognised he was not best placed to lead the party into the next general election. Heavy losses in May’s local elections, followed by Burnham’s Makerfield by‑election win, prompted widespread calls from Starmer’s own MPs for him to step aside and allow Burnham to succeed him. When potential rivals Wes Streeting, the former health secretary, and Al Carns, a former defence minister, said they would not contest the leadership, the path was cleared for Burnham to become prime minister unopposed. Sir Keir has said he will support his successor and offer private advice if asked. Speaking to Sky News during a visit to Ukraine on Thursday, Sir Keir described the handover as an "orderly transition" and said he had laid "a solid foundation" for Burnham. Burnham’s team has so far released few policy details and has not named candidates for key cabinet positions. Announcements on ministerial appointments are not expected until Monday, when Burnham takes office at Number 10. Multiple reports indicate Shabana Mahmood could be Burnham’s choice for chancellor, with the BBC noting there are "live discussions" on the matter. On policy, Burnham outlined elements of his agenda in a Manchester speech earlier this month. He proposed establishing a new No 10 unit in Manchester to give local authorities greater influence over housing and transport. In the early weeks of his premiership, he plans to undertake a "listening tour" of the UK while Parliament is in recess this summer. Burnham has signalled that easing the cost of living will be a priority of his government. He has defended his economic credibility, insisting he will not be "indisciplined" with public finances. However, the International Monetary Fund has cautioned his incoming administration against expanding public spending amid pressures such as rising household energy bills. In a recent UK‑focused report, the IMF advised the government to remain concentrated on its growth plans. It stated: "This calls for a cautious approach to new fiscal pressures: the government should be selective in accommodating new demands and reprioritise, while sticking to the deficit reduction plan." The report added: "Future spending reviews should focus on reallocating resources across departments, rather than expanding overall spending."