Andy Burnham torn apart for ‘vacuous twaddle’ after first speech as Labour leader.VA
Andy Burnham‘s first speech as Labour leader was dismissed as “vacuous twaddle” by Reform UK’s Robert Jenrick.
The incoming PM vowed to give people “hope back” and “the Labour they once knew” ahead of replacing Sir Keir Starmer on Monday.
But Mr Jenrick said: “I listened to Andy Burnham’s speech. I wish I hadn’t. Twenty minutes of vacuous twaddle. No change. No specifics. No plan whatsoever. Is this what we’ve all been waiting for?
“The country is in a mess and it needs new leadership but that was neither new nor leadership.”
Farage demands snap election
Nigel Farage repeated his call for an early general election as he spoke at the CPAC GB conference in London.
The Reform UK leader said his party could produce a “historic upset” and claimed that if he failed to enter No 10 Britain risks “turning into a third world country” within 10 years.
He said that “nothing will get better under Andy Burnham” who is set to become PM on Monday.
Labour tied with Reform in new poll
Reform UK and Labour are joint first place in the latest poll by Survation.
The pollster said it is Labour’s highest polling since November 2025, and Reform’s lowest since just after the May 2025 local elections.
Tories demand Burnham sets out plan in Commons
The Tories have called on Andy Burnham to set out his plan in the Commons.
Chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: “Andy Burnham says he has a plan, so what is it?
“The leader of the Labour Party, and soon-to-be Prime Minister, should come to Parliament and explain it. Instead, the Government spared his blushes by cancelling the Conservatives‘ vote that would have brought him before Parliament on Monday.
“It’s not too late for Andy Burnham to do the right thing, make a statement, and answer questions from Members of Parliament on Monday about his ‘plan’. But the truth is that, whether it is Keir Starmer or Andy Burnham, the real problem is the high-tax, high-spend Labour MPs behind them.”
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Burnham ‘ignoring biggest issues facing country’
Senior Tory MP Esther McVey accused Andy Burnham of “ignoring the biggest issues facing the country” in his speech.
Jenrick erupts at Burnham’s ‘vacuous twaddle’
Reform UK’s Robert Jenrick lashed out at Andy Burnham’s “vacuous twaddle” after his first speech as Labour’s leader.
Rural campaigners plea to Burnham: ‘Stop the war on rural Britain’
Andy Burnham has been handed a stark warning from the countryside just hours into the job – fix the “historic low” between Westminster and rural Britain, or face fresh fury.
Mo Metcalf-Fisher, director of external affairs at the Countryside Alliance, said relations between the Government and the countryside are at rock bottom – and demanded the new PM prove his promise to do things “differently” is more than just spin.
“Mr Burnham should urgently revisit both the crippling family farm tax and increased tax and National Insurance on rural businesses, while dropping Defra’s drift towards culture war in the countryside,” he blasted.
Mr Metcalf-Fisher added: “We wish Mr Burnham well and hope this marks the start of a change the countryside desperately needs.”
Union warns Andy Burnham must deliver the hope he promises
Linda Hobson, chair of UNISON’s Labour Link committee, said: “Andy Burnham has earned respect across the labour movement, and often the political divide, for his achievements.
“Now it’s over to him to show he’s the right person to deliver the party’s promise of change when Labour won its landslide in 2024.
“Everyone knows the path ahead won’t be easy, but he’s shown he has a powerful voice and gets things done.
“Andy Burnham knows the importance of public services and he’s made clear his commitment to a national care service, for which UNISON has long campaigned.
“The union looks forward to working with him to bring about the transformation so desperately needed for the UK and the emphasis on Labour values.
“He must get this right and bring back the hope he promises.”
Andy Burnham said he wanted his Labour Party to put ‘hope in every heart’
Andy Burnham said: “I want people to say once again that Labour are ‘for us’. I want that to just fall off people’s tongues – and we can do it.
“We can be that party, the party that puts more power in people’s hands, drives good growth in every postcode and puts hope in every heart.
“That gets the country pulling together again and moves beyond the divisions of recent years, all people and all places, public and private sectors, in a new sense of unity and common cause.
“That’s my mission as your new leader, to bring back hope. I believe in all of you, and I am confident we can do it.”
After he finished his speech, Mr Burnham danced and led the audience clapping along to New Order’s True Faith.
Andy Burnham (Image: PA)
Summary of 5 changes Burnham wants to make
1. End infighting within the party
2. End point-scoring
3. Set out a direction that is “distinctively Labour” by “being us”
4. Return power to people across the entire UK
5. Be a “pro-business leader”
Burnham declares being labour leader as ‘honour of my life’
In a post on X, Andy Burnham said: “It’s the honour of my life to be Leader of the Labour Party.
“I will be a leader for every region and nation in this great country, and this Party will be unashamedly Labour in our priorities and in the decisions we take.
“Together, we will set Britain on a new path.”
New government needs to hit the ground running, TUC says
TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “Andy Burnham’s government needs to hit the ground running and focus relentlessly on improving the living standards of working people.
“For too long, ordinary families have been under the cosh while the tax avoiders and super-rich have made a killing.
“Every decision and every announcement Andy Burnham makes needs to show working people he’s on their side.
“That should start with action to bring down energy bills, taxing banks’ enormous profits to pay for it, and delivering Labour’s workers’ rights agenda in full, and we need action to grow our economy to put more money in the pockets of working people.”
Three political figures singled out by new Labour leader
Andy Burnham singled out Lord David Blunkett, Baroness Margaret Beckett and Lord Neil Kinnock, thanking them for their influence on his political career.
He said Lord Blunkett had been “the truest mentor to me”, and told Baroness Beckett: “You were a wonderful friend to me and guide throughout my my time in the cabinet. You were always there for me to give me that nudge that I needed.”
And turning to Lord Kinnock, he said: “He is the man that fired up a young Andy Burnham in the North West of England in the mid 1980s with rhetoric of the kind that remains unmatched, I would say, in modern politics.
“It has always been something that I treasure to get a message from him with his advice and the care and the thought he puts in to those messages. They they mean everything to me.
“I would not be standing here, I would have not have joined this great party of ours in 1985 had it not been for the legend that is Neil Kinnock.
Burnham speech ends with a dance
Andy Burnham has ended his first speech as Labour leader.
He did a dance to True Faith by New Order at the end of the speech as music played out and attendees clapped.
‘I will be a pro-business leader’, Burnham vows
Andy Burnham says he will be a “pro-business” leader.
He says he was a “pro-business” mayor in Manchester and vows to take this to the country.
He says he will build an education system that will create parity between university and technical education.
He adds: “Hope for every young person is what we are going to be about. This is it. A plan to bring more people together. To bring back the hope.”
Andy Burnham (Image: PA)
Burnham makes fifth and final pledge
Burnham’s fifth and final promise is to take power from Whitehall and “give it to the place you live”.
He adds: “More power over life’s essentials so you can make them work better and more affordable for people.”
Andy Burnham said his Cabinet would include all parts of the Labour Party
Andy Burnham said his Cabinet would include all parts of the Labour Party.
He said “factionalism has bedevilled us” and “today we move beyond it”.
He said: “I have supported all our Labour leaders in my lifetime because I believe a united Labour Party and Labour movement is the best hope for our country.”
Mr Burnham added: “I will lead this party in that spirit, not seeking to suspend or punish members who have principled views that may be different from mine, but building unity by respecting all shades of opinion.
“And contrary to what you may keep on reading, I haven’t made any decisions yet about who will be in that top team, but I will soon, and when I have, you will see it reflects all parts of our party, all communities, and it will reflect your own place within this great party of ours – a stronger, more united Labour Party lifting up a stronger and more united Britain.”
Burnham pledged to serve all parts of the UK
“If we want an economy and country which works for all people and places then it requires a new path to the one we’ve been on for the last 40 years.”
Mr Burnham says “this moment today is the most significant change moment in our politics for 40 years”.
His fourth pledge is to be a leader for all cardinal points – the north, east, south and west – and name checks all the UK’s countries.
He says: “Yes the North of England has given me so much. Everything in fact. In return I have sought to give it the strongest voice I could. Now I seek to do it everywhere.
“I see the same challenges. This is the moment to speak for all parts of the country and unite people in a common cause. I love every part of this country.”
Burnham sets out third change he wants to make as Labour leader
3. Andy Burnham has said he wants Labour to be distinct. He adds: “We won’t try to out Green the Greens. Or out Reform Reform.”
He continues: “We win by being us. Boldly, confidently, authentically us.”
(Image: Getty)
Burnham: ‘This is our last chance’
Mr Burham is setting out the second thing he wants to change.
2. He will “work to build a new politics”. He says the public don’t appreciate point scoring. He says “politics as a whole is not working” for the public.
“We haven’t been good enough,” he adds.
He suggests this is the “last chance”.
Mr Burnham says he has not yet decided who will be in his top team.
He talks about finding common ground with other parties to make “more lasting” change. He says they should be working to achieve a “less toxic” political system by working together.
Mr Burnham is now setting out five things he wants to change:
1. Work relentlessly to build one Labour team because “change starts with us”. He wants to end infighting which is “an indulgence which falls heaviest on the people who need Labour most”.
Politics has failed
Andy Burnham says “this generation of politicians, myself included” have failed to challenge an economic model that does not serve working people
Burnham vows to give people ‘hope back’
Mr Burnham has said “we must recognise” that this generation of politicians, himself included, have failed to challenge a political model that does not work for people.
He pledges to be better while accepting the “honour” of leading the party forward.
In his first speech as Labour leader Andy Burnham said he would offer “hope”.
He said the Labour movement which backed him “heard the call from the people of Makerfield on behalf of forgotten places everywhere up and down this country for a return of the Labour they once knew”
“And now we answer that call,” he said.
“We will be that version of Labour again.”
‘We are united’ Burnham insists as he pays tribute to Starmer
Burnham sayd: “This is a proud moment you have given me and my family today, and an emotional one.
“It is one for which I am ready. I am ready. To lead and build on the foundation built by one person more than any other.”
He goes on to pay tribute to Keir Starmer’s legacy as Prime Minister.
Mr Burnham thanked him for his service to the nation and the party.
(Image: GB NEWS)
‘I am ready’ says Burnham
Andy Burnham voters are getting “a return of the Labour they once knew”
This sounds like he’s not impressed with how Labour has been recently, but he then immediately goes on to praise Keir Starmer and thank him for his “service to our country”
Burnham declared new Labour leader
Andy Burnham has been declared the new Labour leader at a special party conference in London.
He is now taking to the stage…
Mahmood up on stage
Shabana Mahmood MP, chair of the National Executive Committee, has taken to the stage.
She is about to formally announce Andy Burnham is Labour leader.
The MP adds: “It’s hardly a nail biter folks.”
She calls it “her honour” to declare Mr Burnham Labour leader.
Lucy Powell is ‘really confident’
She says Labour will “change people’s lives for the better” with Burnham leading, and restore confidence in Labour
Lucy Powell heralds ‘new era’ for Labour
Lots of applause as Andy Burnham enters the room, but he sits down and we start the event with a short speech from Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell.
Lucy Powell (Image: Jon Walker)
Powell pays tribute to Starmer
Lucy Powell has paid tribute to Sir Keir Starmer and his team.
She praises the “dignity and grace” that they have conducted themselves in recent weeks.
Burnham arrives flanked by top supporters
Andy Burnham has arrived to huge applause and cheers.
He is accompanies by Shabana Mahmood, who is set to be his Chancellor, and Lucy Powell.
Speaking ahead of the announcement, Ms Powell said: “She can feel the tension in the air. The anticipation is rising.”
Removal van arrives at No 10 Downing Street
A removal van has arrived at No10 Downing Street.
Keir Starmer will hand over the keys to No10 on Monday.
Removal van arrives at No 10 Downing Street (Image: PA Wire)
Manchester music is playing
As we await the appearance of Andy Burnham, the music being played at Labour’s event is Perfect Me by Blossoms – a Manchester band, of course
Burnham arrives
Andy Burnham has arrived at a special conference where he is set to be announced as the new Labour leader.
(Image: Getty)
Andy Burnham says next few days are about ‘changing how Britain is governed’
Andy Burnham said: “The next few days are about more than changing who governs Britain. They’re about changing how Britain is governed.”
Labour MPs are gathered to hear the result
I’m in the venue where Andy Burnham will be named Labour leader, along with MPs, activists and donors such as energy entrepreneur Dale Vince, as well as journalists
Andy Burnham will be proclaimed Labour leader around 12 noon
A crowd is gathering inside the central London location where the result of the Labour leadership contest will be announced. Andy Burnham is the only candidate and the winner, but this is the formal declaration.
He doesn’t become Prime Minister until he meets the King on Monday.
(Image: )
Andy Burnham set to become Labour leader at midday
Andy Burnham will become Labour’s leader in around 30 minutes.
He is set to give a speech in London to mark the moment. The former Manchester Mayor is not expected to take any questions from the media.
Sir Keir Starmer will leave No10 on Monday.
Truss issues warning over Burnham
Liz Truss has said the UK could be “headed for a financial crisis” under Andy Burnham.
Britain’s shortest-serving prime minister, whose mini-budget sparked economic chaos and sent the pound tumbling, said “the money is going to run out”.
Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference in the US, she also said she expected there to be a new prime minister before 2029 because “I think Labour have now got the disease the Conservative Party had of thinking the issue is with the team manager”.
“I’m not saying Keir Starmer is a genius or anything, I’m just saying he’s not the only problem, and I think that they will tire of Burnham, and they will bring someone else in, and they will lose.”
Asked how bad she thought things could get under Mr Burnham, she said: “I think we could definitely be headed for a financial crisis. There is no money.
“This is the big failing of the Labour Party is that they spent years and years saying the Conservatives weren’t spending enough money, whereas in fact we were spending too much money and not generating enough growth, and now they’ve made the problem even worse, so the money is going to run out.”
Khan torn apart over peerage
Sir Sadiq Khan has come under fire from Reform UK’s Laila Cunningham after he was handed a peerage despite previously calling for the House of Lords to be abolished.
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.”
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.”
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.
