LONDON — Britain got (another) new prime minister Monday: Andy Burnham.
The former mayor of Greater Manchester — who succeeded Keir Starmer as leader of the U.K.’s governing Labour Party last week — will shortly start naming his top team after King Charles III asked him to form a government. He has already fired key allies of his predecessor Keir Starmer, including top finance minister Rachel Reeves.
Burnham is Britain’s sixth prime minister in the past decade alone, and his appointment comes as the governing Labour Party gambles that another change at the top will turn around a polling deficit at the hands of right-wing populist Nigel Farage.
In his first speech in the job — delivered without notes or the customary lectern that previous new prime ministers have used — Burnham promised action on the cost of living within days, and a 10-year plan for government to follow later in the year.
He said he would immediately order officials to work to end homelessness in the U.K. — and he’s held his first call with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Now expect a flurry of announcements through the day on Burnham’s picks for the Cabinet. Follow the POLITICO team below for the latest — and brush up on Burnham with these primers:
- Andy Burnham’s long general election campaign starts now
- He Quit Parliament. Now He’s Set to Become Britain’s Prime Minister.
- Burnham eyes a casual version of the U.K.-U.S. special relationship
Source: Politico Europe — This article was automatically imported from the source. Read full article at original source →
