The Latest: Andy Burnham replaces Keir Starmer as UK prime minister

LONDON — Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester and new leader of the Labour Party, became Britain’s seventh prime minister in a decade on Monday.

Burnham replaced the unpopular Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation to end a tenure of just two years in office.

Speaking outside 10 Downing St. minutes after being formally appointed by King Charles III, Burnham, 56, pledged to ease the cost of living for ordinary people, decentralize political power, revitalize industry and end street sleeping by homeless people.

Here is the latest:

Burnham says fixing the care system is a must

Burnham says he “would not want to leave office” without improving Britain’s patchy access to social care for those who need it because of age, illness or disability.

It’s a pressing issue in a country with an aging population, and one that has foxed previous Labour and Conservative governments.

Burnham, who has firsthand experience of the issue because his father has Alzheimer’s, says there needs to be a “conversation with the public” about how to pay for long-term care. At present many people must spend all their savings and sell their property to pay for care.

Burnham told reporters that the status who is “not defensible. How many people have lost their homes and their savings in that time? We need to face it and fix it.”

Treasury chief and deputy prime minister announce they are not in Burnham’s government

Some of the government’s top ministers have announced they will not be serving in Burnham’s Cabinet.

David Lammy, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister, said on X that he “would have been proud to continue serving in Cabinet, but a new Prime Minister is entitled to build his own team.”

Rachel Reeves said it was the “privilege of my life” to serve as Treasury chief, and wished her successor luck.

Burnham is expected to announce his new Cabinet in coming hours.

Burnham says he won’t take economic risks

Andy Burnham says his top priority is easing the cost of living for ordinary people, but he won’t take any risks with the economy.

Britain’s new prime minister told reporters in the garden of 10 Downing St. that he will take economic measures “that people will feel and feel quite quickly” in their pocketbooks. He said “it won’t take all of the pressure off but it just shows the direction of travel and that we’re serious about helping them out.”

Burnham has said he’ll give more details on Tuesday.

He said that he has “always taken a very prudent approach” to the economy in previous jobs, and that will continue now he is leader. He says funding plans “will be clearly set out in our budget.”

Trump and Burnham have spoken

President Donald Trump has spoken to Burnham, the White House said Monday, without providing details.

It was one of Burnham’s first phone calls since he entered No.10 Downing Street.

Burnham, who has little foreign policy experience, has said that Britain will remain a firm United States ally.

Relations with the U.S. could depend on how he interacts with a Trump, who initially gave Starmer glowing reviews only to sour on him for not supporting his war with Iran.

Zelenskyy will have phone call with Burnham later Monday

Congratulating Burnham, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X that he was “looking forward to our conversation later today,” adding that the “foundation of our bilateral relations is stronger than ever, and we will continue to make each other stronger.”

Burnham’s predecessor, Keir Starmer, who stood down earlier, was a high-profile supporter of Ukraine in its war with Russia. He said he had provided the country with “political, defense, and values-based support.”

Burnham, who has very little foreign policy experience, has said he will continue to provide Ukraine with the support it needs.

Burnham says his father doesn’t know he is prime minister because of Alzheimer’s

In an interview with The Times published Sunday, Burnham revealed that his father’s illness meant he was not aware his son is taking the nation’s top job.

“That’s a sadness because he would be (proud),” Burnham was quoted as saying. “It’s a family achievement … although he doesn’t know it, it still makes me feel that we’ve kind of done something together.”

He added that he recently visited his dad in his care home, alongside his two brothers and his mother. Burnham’s father Roy was a longtime Labour supporter and was a big influence in setting him on the path to politics, according to the article.

Source: Manilatimes