Andy Burnham vows to ‘bring back hope’ as he unveils cabinet

Andy Burnham became the UK’s sixth prime minister in a decade on Monday, vowing to “bring back hope” as he unveiled a new cabinet that included surprise appointment John Healey as chancellor. In his first address outside 10 Downing Street, Burnham acknowledged public frustration with politics and pledged to deliver real change, starting with cost-of-living relief measures expected on Tuesday.

A cabinet of familiar faces

Burnham moved swiftly to reshape his government, sacking several loyalists of predecessor Keir Starmer, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy. Healey, 66, a former defence secretary whose resignation had previously pushed Starmer to the brink, emerged as the compromise candidate for the Treasury after Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood were tipped for the role. Miliband takes over as foreign secretary, while Mahmood remains at the Home Office.

Economic promises and market reaction

Speaking without notes, Burnham said the government would announce “some breathing space” on Tuesday for people struggling with the cost of living, with plans to cut energy bills and bus fares as part of a fully funded package. He later told reporters he would look at “any flexibility” within existing fiscal rules to borrow billions more for infrastructure investment, but would take a “very prudent” approach. The comments caused UK 10-year gilt prices to drop, reflecting market jitters over higher borrowing, though they had recovered by the time Healey’s appointment was confirmed.

International outreach

In his first world leader call, Burnham spoke with Donald Trump—who had previously dismissed him as mayor of “some town”—inviting him to Manchester for next year’s G20 summit. Trump later wrote on social media that the conversation covered Iran, the US-UK military alliance and trade, and that the two planned to meet soon. Burnham also spoke with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

A fragile start

Burnham’s arrival follows a brutal party coup that toppled Starmer, giving Labour a second hearing with the public but also risking further instability. “I am acutely conscious that I am the sixth person in the last 10 years to walk up this street,” he said. “Britain needs to show the world that we can regain our stability once again.” He called for a new national sense of unity and positivity, saying: “Let us make this the moment when Britain starts to believe again, the moment we bring back hope.” The new prime minister faces immediate tests on the economy, party unity, and delivering on his pledges while navigating a volatile political landscape.