The Metropolitan Police have banned amplifiers outside Downing Street as Andy Burnham becomes prime minister today — a pre-emptive strike against prankster Steve Bray, who disrupted Sir Keir Starmer's resignation last month by blasting the EU anthem. Bray has now relocated to Buckingham Palace, video footage shows.
Burnham, who won the Labour leadership unopposed on Friday, will replace Starmer as the UK’s fourth prime minister in five years and seventh in a decade. The day begins with Starmer’s final address on the steps of No 10 at 11.15am, after which he will travel to Buckingham Palace to hand his resignation to King Charles III. Burnham will follow shortly after noon to be formally appointed, then return to Downing Street for his first speech around 12.40pm.
“Andy Burnham replaces Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister, promising cost-of-living relief and stable politics.”
In that address, Burnham is expected to promise “breathing space” on the cost of living, acknowledging he is “acutely conscious” of the rapid turnover of premiers. He has already scrapped Starmer’s flagship digital ID programme to free up resources. His plans also include supporting existing North Sea oil and gas licences, handing more power to local authorities, and a possible increase in business rates on warehouses to fund tax cuts for pubs and high street shops.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who announced Burnham’s leadership result as “hardly a nailbiter”, is widely expected to be named chancellor in a reshuffle that could see Ed Miliband appointed foreign secretary. Prisons minister Lord James Timpson stepped down before the new team is announced, telling the BBC he leaves the service “in a much healthier and happier state than two years ago”.
Burnham, who donated 15% of his mayoral salary to homelessness charities for nine years, has spoken of his sadness that his father Roy — who has Alzheimer’s — will not know of his son’s success. “That’s a sadness because he would be proud,” he told the Times. “The way I look at it, it’s his achievement as well.”
With a track record of stable government still to prove, Burnham’s biggest challenge may be matching the scale of change he has promised.
