Andy Burnham is poised to take control (Image: Getty)
Andy Burnham will promise to be “unashamedly Labour” when he officially becomes the party’s leader today. The PM in waiting, who enters 10 Downing Street on Monday, will say in a speech that his government will have the “courage to fix the big things that politics has neglected” and the “conviction to argue for our plans”.
The Makerfield MP will set out plans to focus on economic renewal, more public control and reindustrialisation.
And he will say Britain took “a series of wrong turns in the 1980s” when “political power was centralised and economic power privatised” and that making the economy work for people across the country will require “a new path to the one we’ve been on for the last 40 years”.
He will promise that the party under his leadership will be “unashamedly Labour in our priorities and in the decisions we take, putting people and places at the heart of everything we do”.
Follow below for live updates:
Andy Burnham talks about how he likes his tea – not his tax plans
Andy Burnham has released a series of social media videos revealing his favourite beers, his thoughts on football and how he likes his tea.
But critics say he has been less keen to talk about his plans for the country in detail.
Reform’s Robert Jenrick said: “Andy Burnham is dodging scrutiny about his plans to raise taxes.
“Instead he’s telling us he puts milk in his tea before water ????
“This isn’t going to end well.”
When I said I was going to do politics differently, I meant it.
Yesterday I spent a couple of hours in Cardiff city centre inviting people to ask me anything about my plans for the UK. pic.twitter.com/AsPKTN0cTG
— Andy Burnham (@andyburnham) July 16, 2026
Polanski slams Burnham
Zack Polanski said Andy Burnham was offering a “semi-skimmed” version of Green Party policies.
Speaking to Sky News, the Green leader said: “What I think we’re seeing now in speedrun is what does a Labour government look like with supposedly their best leader?
“And I think we’re still going to see a party where inequality gets wider, where we’ve seen them apologise for Labour’s history in Gaza, but he’s still not signalled that he’s going to stop selling arms to Israel.
“So I think again and again we’re going to hear rhetoric which is more in line with what the Green Party are saying.
“But why have semi-skimmed when you could come to the Green Party and actually have the full version, where we’re both saying and doing things?”
Burnham faces left-wing fury if he makes Mahmood chancellor
Andy Burnham is facing a left-wing Labour revolt over plans to appoint Shabana Mahmood as chancellor rather than Ed Miliband.
The incoming PM will reportedly confirm on Monday that the Home Secretary will replace Rachel Reeves in 11 Downing Street.
But reports that Ms Mahmood, who is on the right of the party, will be chancellor have sparked a backlash from some Labour MPs.
Backbencher Rachael Maskell told Times Radio that selecting Ms Mahmood would be a mistake. She said: “I don’t think Shabana would be the right person for Chancellor. I do think Ed Miliband would be a suitable candidate.
“Not only have I seen the way that he has led his department, and if any department in government needs leadership it is the Treasury, but also I think tying in with the climate agenda is crucial when we know that the expenditure of governments into the future is going to be addressing the challenges which climate is throwing up at us.
“I do think he has got the skills and ability, experience to be able to drive forward a different agenda from Treasury, which is absolutely crucial, but also to push that out across the country as opposed to this real centralisation which has happened in the Treasury for decades upon decades.”
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Starmer says Labour can win next election
Sir Keir Starmer has insisted Labour can win the next general election under Andy Burnham.
In an interview with The Mirror, the outgoing PM said he is “proud to hand over the party in good shape” to his successor.
What will Burnham say in his speech?
In his speech, Andy Burnham will promise to be “unashamedly Labour”.
He will insist his government will have the “courage to fix the big things that politics has neglected” and the “conviction to argue for our plans”.
He will argue Britain took “a series of wrong turns in the 1980s” when “political power was centralised and economic power privatised” and that making the economy work for people across the country will require “a new path to the one we’ve been on for the last 40 years”.
He will promise that the party under his leadership will be “unashamedly Labour in our priorities and in the decisions we take, putting people and places at the heart of everything we do”.
He will pledge to make the party more united under his leadership and pay tribute to Sir Keir Starmer and achievements made since 2024, including on workers’ rights, the NHS and the passing of the Hillsborough Law.
Burnam to officially become Labour leader
Andy Burnham will officially become Labour leader at a special conference today before entering 10 Downing Street on Monday.
The event is due to kick off at around midday with Mr Burnham set to give a speech.
But there is no formal Q&A session with the press amid accusations he is dodging scrutiny.
