Andy Burnham is now officially Prime Minister after heading to Buckingham Palace to meet King Charles III. The Labour leader took part in the historic 'kissing of hands' ceremony, where the King gave him permission to form a government. Buckingham Palace confirmed the meeting in a statement.
Burnham's vow to tackle cost-of-living crisis
Fresh from his largely uncontested election as Labour leader, the former Manchester mayor has vowed to give people 'breathing room' amid the cost-of-living squeeze. Reports have suggested cost-of-living support offered by Burnham could include action on energy bills, including allowing more oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. Environmental campaigners have urged him to stick to Labour’s 2024 manifesto, which promised not to issue new licences for North Sea drilling, arguing they would not reduce energy bills. Mr Burnham could also face a decision on whether to temporarily nationalise Thames Water as the firm struggles with a £20 billion debt pile.
Starmer's farewell address
Earlier, departing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer gave a farewell address outside Downing Street, saying that he 'changed' the Labour Party, making it 'fit to lead'. 'I'm about to visit His Majesty The King and offer my resignation to close the book on my time as Prime Minister,' he began. 'My work is done. In six and a half years, I took our party from a historic defeat in 2019 - changed it, so it was fit to face the country, and won a landslide general election victory in 2024. It has been the privilege of my life to serve you and this great country as Prime Minister. And I am confident that Britain is now stronger and fairer than it was two years ago.'
Cabinet lineup expected
Mr Burnham is due to reveal his Cabinet lineup later today, though he’s kept his picks firmly under wraps. The Labour leader took over as leader of the party on Friday, July 17.
