LONDON – Andy Burnham was sworn in as the UK’s new prime minister on Monday, replacing Keir Starmer and immediately unveiling a major cabinet reshuffle as he outlined his plans to address the country’s economic issues.
Burnham became an office holder after meeting King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, promising to bring forward a long-term strategy to relieve cost-of-living pressures, boost domestic industry and move more political power away from Westminster.
Speaking outside 10 Downing Street with his wife, Marie-France van Heel, Burnham said Britain needed “a new political model” and promised to build “a new economy”. He also said his government would try to restore political stability after years of leadership changes.
The new prime minister started his first day in office by speaking separately by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Downing Street said Mr Burnham reiterated Britain’s commitment to defence and security during his conversation with Mr Trump. Later Trump said the discussion included trade, military cooperation and the Strait of Hormuz. He added on Truth Social that the United States would support Burnham’s government.
Burnham reiterated the UK’s support for Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s invasion during a call with Zelenskyy, the British government said.
Burnham also moved quickly to reconfigure his government, axing several senior ministers linked to Starmer’s government and bringing in allies to key posts.
Changes include former defence secretary John Healey becoming finance minister, Ed Miliband as foreign secretary, Angela Rayner back in the cabinet and Wes Streeting as defence secretary. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood remained in her position to continue implementing reforms to Britain's asylum system.
Speaking outside Downing Street, Burnham told supporters his government would soon unveil measures to help households with rising costs of living. He also promised to unveil a 10-year national strategy but offered no details of policy proposals.
One of his first priorities, he said, would be to tackle rough sleeping across England. Burnham has tried similar policies in the past as mayor of Greater Manchester.
He also spoke of wider ambitions to boost British manufacturing through public procurement, increase the stock of public housing and devolve decision-making power away from Whitehall.
Burnham said economic policy since the 1980s had helped create long-term regional inequalities, and his government would seek greater public oversight of essential services to make them more affordable.
Outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer departed Downing Street earlier in the day, saying his government had made Britain "stronger and fairer" in its two years in power.
Burnham inherits major economic and political challenges, including slow growth, high government borrowing costs, pressure on public finances, rising welfare spending and continued concern over irregular migration. His government also faces uncertainty over global energy markets and how to manage relations with the United States.
The former Greater Manchester mayor, a Labour MP from 2001 to 2017, took over the leadership of the party following Starmer’s departure. Opposition parties have denounced his appointment without a broader leadership contest, queried his democratic mandate and demanded a general election.
French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Burnham, saying he hoped the new government would boost co-operation between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
