Andy Burnham to Promise to Fix Britain's Big Problems

Andy Burnham to promise to fix the nation's challenges in his inaugural address as Labour leader. The incoming prime minister will pledge he possesses the "courage to fix the big things that politics has neglected" during his first major speech. Burnham, who is set to be officially announced at a special conference on Friday, will commit to returning control to communities and distributing economic growth throughout the country. The new Labour leader will succeed Keir Starmer as prime minister on Monday, ushering in a fresh chapter for government as it works to reverse declining poll numbers over the past two years.

Building a New Downing Street Team

Burnham has secured overwhelming support from MPs, though cabinet positions are already being contested. His Downing Street operation is taking shape, with many of Starmer's advisers expected to continue in their roles. According to insiders involved in the selection process, the incoming prime minister has now chosen most senior No 10 positions, and the full cabinet is likely to be confirmed on Monday. Burnham has also committed to running a more collegiate and inclusive party for parliamentarians.

However, MPs have been informed that only a select group of "office holders" can attend Friday's special conference announcing his victory. Others must apply for a later meeting on a first-come, first-served basis. In his speech, Burnham will emphasize that Labour must give people across Britain "the hope that we will make this country the best it can be."

A New Path for Britain

Burnham will argue that Britain took several wrong turns in the 1980s, when political power became centralized in Westminster and economic authority shifted to private companies. He will contend that the UK needs "a new path to the one we've been on for the last 40 years." Addressing critics of Starmer's government for not being sufficiently true to Labour's values, the new leader will promise an "authentically Labour" programme featuring economic renewal, greater public control, reindustrialisation, and power returned to local communities—without yet detailing specific policies.

Burnham's new Downing Street team will oversee policy announcements next week, sources confirmed, including fresh details on energy, water, and the cost of living. Many of Starmer's advisers have been asked to remain, including Jonathan Powell as national security adviser, Varun Chandra as No 10 business adviser, and Graeme Cooke, who is being promoted to head the policy unit. Several others have been recruited from the private sector.

These include James Purnell, the former chief executive of Flint Global, who will serve as chief of staff, and Hayden Munro, recruited from Arden Strategies to be political director. Most have connections to established Labour politics. The press team will be led by former Sadiq Khan aide Sarah Brown, while Grace Pritchard, the former special adviser to Ed Miliband, will serve as prime minister's spokesperson.

The Guardian has learned that John Stevens, a former journalist, will remain in No 10 as press secretary. Others, however, are coming from outside, including Matthew McGregor, who is joining from the campaign group 38 Degrees, as director of political strategy.

The Guardian has also been told that Alison Phillips, the former editor of the Mirror and chief executive of ThinkLabour, will be appointed transition director, with the aim of avoiding some of the early mistakes that affected Starmer's administration.

A spokesperson said: "Her priority will be to establish No 10 as an effective team that can deliver Andy's ambition to give Britain breathing space in the cost of living, deliver growth in every postcode and return power to communities. She has led large and complex organisations, delivering results and overseeing cultural change."

Labour insiders said Burnham is keen to provide stability to the No 10 operation after the turbulence of his Makerfield campaign and Starmer's decision to leave office. Business groups, which had complained about lacking a point of contact within the incoming prime minister's team, were pleased that Chandra would remain in place.

However, some observers worry the composition of the Downing Street team suggests Burnham is avoiding the policy radicalism he previously championed. "This is very much Continuity Keir," said one person briefed on the moves. "These are good, competent people. But if you expected them to pursue a radically different type of politics, you will be disappointed."

One person close to Burnham responded: "We will have a leader at the top who is inherently political and the people he has picked are passionate about driving his vision for radical reform and change."