Andy Burnham assumed office as the seventh Prime Minister of the United Kingdom within a decade on Monday, swiftly diving into his new responsibilities. His first day began with a formal meeting with the King at Buckingham Palace, followed by his inaugural address outside No 10. Burnham promptly announced his new Cabinet lineup.
The Makerfield MP, returning to Parliament after serving as Mayor of Greater Manchester, was officially elected as the Leader of the Labour Party last Friday. The transition occurred after Sir Keir Starmer resigned, paving the way for Burnham to form a new government.
In his debut speech at Downing Street, Burnham promised immediate relief for families struggling with the cost of living, committed to eradicating rough sleeping, and outlined his plan to revitalize British industries. He emphasized the need for a fresh political and economic approach, stressing the importance of demonstrating stability to the international community.
Burnham’s major appointment, Sir John Healey, was named Chancellor of the Exchequer, expressing eagerness to collaborate on building a stronger economy and empowering the working class. The Cabinet reshuffle saw Ed Miliband as the new Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper in charge of health, and Angela Rayner taking on the role of Housing Secretary.
Additionally, Louise Haigh was appointed as First Secretary of State and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, with Wes Streeting becoming the new Defence Secretary. Several key figures retained their positions, including Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
During his first hours in office, Burnham engaged in discussions with global leaders, including Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron, and Mark Rutte. EU President Antonio Costa congratulated Burnham, highlighting the importance of continued collaboration between the UK and the EU.
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