Burnham to promise new path for UK when he becomes new Labour leader
BBC News 2026-07-16 21:44:24
Context: Andy Burnham is set to become the new Labour leader and prime minister of the UK, succeeding Sir Keir Starmer, after being backed by 379 Labour MPs and most trade unions linked to the party. Burnham will be confirmed in the role at a special party conference in central London, where he will promise a new path for Britain, focusing on driving growth in every postcode and returning power to communities. He will also pledge to be a leader "for the north and the south, for Scotland, for Wales and for Northern Ireland, and for every town and every city in every nation and region of this great country".
Key Facts
- Andy Burnham will be confirmed as the new Labour leader at a special party conference in central London, where he will deliver a speech outlining his vision for the country.
- Burnham's leadership bid was cemented after being backed by 379 Labour MPs and most trade unions linked to the party, paving the way for him to become the next prime minister unopposed.
- In his speech, Burnham will promise a "distinctively Labour" programme of economic policies, including more public control of utilities such as water, and reindustrialisation.
- Burnham has proposed a new No 10 unit in Manchester, where a team would be tasked with handing local government more control in areas including housing and transport.
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned Burnham's incoming government to avoid increasing public spending in the face of pressures such as rising household energy bills, and instead focus on growing the economy through a "cautious approach to new fiscal pressures".