MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Burnham's first moves as UK PM: new chancellor, Miliband to foreign office and a social turn

Burnham, 56, acknowledged the fragility of his position and said politicians “need to be better” to restore stability

The United Kingdom's new prime minister, Labour's Andy Burnham, began shaping his government with a cabinet reshuffle and a series of socially oriented announcements, hours after taking office in place of Keir Starmer. The former mayor of Greater Manchester, who reached Downing Street without a general election after winning the Labour leadership, is Britain's seventh prime minister in a decade.

Among the cabinet changes, the appointment of John Healey as Chancellor of the Exchequer, in charge of finances, stood out as a move that surprised Westminster, after Rachel Reeves confirmed her departure. Former Energy Secretary Ed Miliband was promoted to foreign secretary, while Shabana Mahmood was reappointed home secretary. Louise Haigh, a close ally who coordinated his preparations for office, was placed in charge of the Cabinet Office as first secretary of state. Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy tendered his resignation. Further appointments are expected in the coming hours.

In his first speech outside Downing Street, delivered without a lectern or notes, Burnham promised to “end rough sleeping” among homeless people, a goal backed by an official announcement of an additional £340 million over five years. He proposed a “circuit breaker” for a system that, he said, had taken wrong turns since the 1980s, and previewed a ten-year plan, the construction of more council housing, and changes to the education system. Announcements on the cost of living will begin on Tuesday.

Burnham, 56, acknowledged the fragility of his position and said politicians “need to be better” to restore stability, alluding to the succession of governments in recent years. He pledged to honor defense-spending commitments and to respect the country's fiscal rules. The next general election is not expected for about three years.

Internationally, US President Donald Trump held a phone call with Burnham on Monday, according to the White House. Trump praised on his social network the new prime minister's intention to expand North Sea oil production, having earlier attributed Starmer's downfall to alleged failures on immigration and energy. The change of government also places British foreign policy in Miliband's hands, including the position on the Falklands, which the outgoing Starmer government had reaffirmed in recent days amid the controversy over the banner displayed by Argentine players at the World Cup.

Starmer, who governed for two years after his 2024 victory, bid farewell saying he leaves the country “stronger and fairer.” “I go with good grace, I go with a smile,” he said.