Andy Burnham is now officially the new leader of the Labour Party, taking the helm of the party and declaring himself ready to guide Britain into its next political phase. In his first remarks after the announcement, he said he was ready to lead and to build on the foundation laid by Keir Starmer.
Burnham’s confirmation was announced by Shabana Mahmood, chair of Labour’s National Executive Committee, according to Sky News. The process underscored the broad support Burnham enjoys within the party.
Burnham credited his predecessor for the party’s turnaround, saying that under Starmer’s leadership Labour went from its worst defeat to one of its best election wins.
He added that Starmer had put Labour back in a position to change people’s lives, something the party has been doing for the past two years. He also thanked Starmer for his service to the party and the country, signaling his intent to preserve continuity and stability in the leadership.
“Change starts with honesty”
Burnham stressed that change starts with honesty, noting that his generation of politicians, himself included, has failed to challenge a political culture and an economic model that simply isn’t working well enough for ordinary people. He pointed to four decades of neoliberalism dating back to the 1980s, which he said have not benefited the places that built the Labour Party, nor rural and coastal communities. He pledged to do better by them.
“Time to speak for every part of the country”
Responding to critics who accuse him of focusing too heavily on Manchester and the north of England, Burnham made clear that he intends to lead for the North, South, East and West, for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. He said that northern England had given him everything, and that in return he tried to give it the strongest voice he could, calling that his job. But he said he would now do the same everywhere, since he sees the same challenges no matter where he looks.
He closed by saying this is the moment to speak for every part of the country and to unite people around a common purpose.
