Britain’s new leader promises a 10-year plan to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, end rough sleeping, and steer the country toward a “stronger and fairer” future.
Andy Burnham officially assumed office as the United Kingdom’s prime minister on Monday, pledging sweeping reforms and immediately reshaping the government by removing several loyalists of his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer.
The 56-year-old Labour leader replaced Starmer at Downing Street after formally accepting King Charles III’s invitation to form a government at Buckingham Palace.
In his first hours in office, Burnham held separate phone calls with US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before unveiling a significantly revamped cabinet.
Among the biggest changes, former Chancellor Rachel Reeves and ex-Foreign Secretary David Lammy were dropped from the cabinet, while John Healey was appointed finance minister and Ed Miliband named foreign secretary. Angela Rayner also returned to government, while Wes Streeting took over as defence minister.
Standing outside 10 Downing Street alongside his wife, Marie-France van Heel, Burnham vowed to build “a new political model” and launch a decade-long strategy focused on easing the cost-of-living crisis, re-industrialising Britain and decentralising power.
“I will bring forward a new plan for Britain—a 10-year plan,” Burnham said, adding that his administration would immediately begin rolling out measures to provide relief for struggling households.
The new prime minister also pledged to eliminate rough sleeping across the country, describing it as one of his government’s top priorities.
Burnham inherits a series of challenges, including sluggish economic growth, rising government debt, high living costs, and mounting pressure over illegal migration. His administration will also have to navigate Britain’s relationship with the United States under President Trump and maintain support for Ukraine amid the ongoing war with Russia.
Burnham’s rapid rise to power follows Keir Starmer’s resignation last month after just two years in office. His appointment marks the fourth prime ministerial appointment made by King Charles III since ascending the throne in 2022 and Britain’s seventh prime minister in just over a decade.
European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, have already congratulated Burnham, expressing hope that his leadership will inject new momentum into the United Kingdom’s relationship with the European Union.