Andy Burnham became Britain’s seventh prime minister in a decade on Monday, pledging to break with the politics of the past to deliver a new economic model to benefit a nation “fed up” with a revolving door of leaders.
In front of dozens of supporters outside his new office and residence at 10 Downing Street, Burnham said politicians had failed to bring the stability needed to raise living standards, something he said he would replace with immediate policies and a long-term plan to be drawn up later this year.
“I know people at home are tired of politics. I hear you, and I want to be honest with you, we have not been good enough and we need to be better,” he said, speaking without explanation and giving a speech that prime ministers generally use.
“We will make this time a game-changer for Britain, bringing about the biggest change in 40 years. A new political structure and a new economic model.”
Just over an hour after his predecessor and Labor colleague Keir Starmer gave his farewell speech saying “My job is done”, the 56-year-old former mayor of Greater Manchester entered Downing Street, where he said his team would tackle his first priority: ending rough sleeping.
