Andy Burnham latest: New UK prime minister to be appointed by King Charles after Starmer’s final speech – UK Times

Andy Burnham has told The Times that “we’re not in the right place as a country” ahead of becoming prime minister on Monday.

Referring to his pledge that he will set out a ten-year plan for the country, Mr Burnham said: “I’m not saying that means I’m setting out to say I’m going to be here for ten years… it’s more that we’re not in the right place structurally, we’re not in the right place as a country. I think people can feel that.”

He added: “To be clear to people, it can’t be done overnight. But you’ve got to show people where we’re going, and then the steps towards it. And that’s what I’m going to try to do.”

Speaking about his approach to the economy, Mr Burnham said: “I think you have to rethink how we run things to get a different approach to public spending, and to running the economy – more focused on early investment, early intervention, setting people up for success, and much less paying for failure.”

Referring to his plans to scrap Sir Keir Starmer’s digital ID scheme, Mr Burnham added: “That’s an example of what’s to come, freeing up resource for something that, in my view, wouldn’t make a tangible difference to people’s lives anytime soon. And even if it did, it wouldn’t necessarily make life easier, it might do in the long run.”

In an intervention hours before the new prime minister enters Downing Street, the US president – a vocal supporter of fossil fuels, who has repeatedly dismissed the scientifically backed evidence behind the climate crisis – said the move would prevent Britain from becoming a “poverty stricken disaster”.

Mr Burnham previously insisted he would stick to Labour’s manifesto pledge not to issue new North Sea licences. But he has also refused to deny reports that he is considering approving new production.

On his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump said: “The People of Aberdeen, in Scotland, are dancing in the streets because the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has stated that he will be opening up, all the way, the invaluable North Sea Oil!”

The comments mark the start of a potentially turbulent relationship with Britain’s fifth prime minister in four years.

The frontrunner to be named as Andy Burnham’s chancellor is already causing tensions with his supporters on the left because of her past support for tax and welfare cuts, writes Political Editor David Maddox.

But the MPs on the left of the party who were the biggest cheerleaders for Mr Burnham being parachuted into parliament to replace Sir Keir Starmer are now concerned he is picking someone from the right of the party to oversee economic policy.

Party insiders have noted that Ms Mahmood was a major internal critic over Rachel Reeves’s tax hikes, which sources claim she privately branded “ridiculous”, “anti-aspiration” and “anti-competitive”.

Andy Burnham will pledge to restore confidence in government and give people “breathing room” when he becomes prime minister later today.

The new Labour leader will set out his domestic priorities in his first speech from Downing Street after visiting the Palace to “kiss hands” with the King and formally take over from Sir Keir Starmer.

He is expected to characterise the moment as one of “reflection and resolution”, arguing Britain must be honest about the challenges it faces and demonstrate it can solve them.

And he will say he is “acutely conscious” that the UK has had seven prime ministers over the last 10 years, and stress the need for more stable and responsible politics.

Allies of Mr Burnham said he would argue that political stability must deliver “tangible” improvements along with the “breathing room” on the cost of living he has previously promised.

Having come to the Labour leadership without a contest barely a month after returning to Westminster, Mr Burnham is yet to set out much of his agenda for his premiership.

He has already said he wants to devolve power away from Westminster as one of his key priorities, driving that agenda with a new “No 10 North” in Manchester, which he is expected to visit later in the week.

Promising a “reset of priorities”, Mr Burnham has also announced he will scrap Sir Keir’s flagship digital ID programme in order to focus money and attention on the cost of living.

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to make a final statement on his tenure as prime minister in Downing Street on Monday before he heads to Buckingham Palace to step down.

This is expected at around 11:15am on Monday morning. Andy Burnham will then meet with King Charles to accept the role of prime minister and head to number 10, where he will give his first speech as Labour leader at just before 1pm.