Andy Burnham Becomes UK Prime Minister
[Updated] Andy Burnham has become the United Kingdom’s prime minister, following the resignation of Keir Starmer.
A BBC story said, “Andy Burnham has become UK prime minister, replacing Sir Keir Starmer in No 10 Downing Street.
“Burnham, who became leader of the Labour Party on Friday, is the fourth prime minister in five years. What does Burnham plan to do as prime minister?
“Andy Burnham has been fairly tight-lipped about his plans for specific policies, but here’s some of what we know:
“Cost of living: After becoming prime minister, Burnham is expected to lay out plans to give “people breathing space on the cost of living”.
“Digital ID: Burnham will scrap plans for a government-issued digital ID for all British adults, in an attempt to shift focus to “the daily priorities facing people across the country, according to his office.
“North Sea oil: The new prime minister will also announce plans for new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. This is likely to only support existing licences rather than issuing new ones, BBC News understands.
“Thames Water: Burnham has previously said he wants to see “greater public control” of water and energy sectors but has stopped short of calling for full nationalisation. Lenders to Thames Water are preparing to challenge any attempts to nationalise the country’s biggest water company.
“Taxes: Burnham has said there is “some room” for movement on tax. In an interview with LBC, he suggested business rates on warehouses could be increased to fund tax cuts for pubs and some high-street businesses. But he has said he would stick to pledges Labour made not to raise VAT, income tax or National Insurance in its general election manifesto in 2024. He has not ruled out a wealth tax.
“Local power: A key priority will be to hand more power to councils and authorities away from Parliament. That would involve giving them more control in areas such as housing and transport. As part of that he wants to create another No 10 team over 150 miles north of London, based in Manchester.”
A CNN story said, “Andy Burnham has been confirmed as the new leader of Britain’s governing Labour Party, and will become the country’s seventh prime minister in a decade of extraordinary political instability when he succeeds Keir Starmer on Monday.
In his acceptance speech, Burnham pledged to give people “hope back” and challenge a political culture and economic model he said “simply doesn’t work well enough for ordinary people.”
“Although official confirmation of Burnham’s ascension only came on Friday, he has, in reality, been the party’s leader-in-waiting since he won a crucial by-election last month, allowing him to return to parliament and challenge Starmer.
“Labour’s disastrous local election results in May were seen as an indication of what could happen if Starmer – who is widely unpopular despite winning a landslide election victory two years ago – led the party into the next national vote. Burnham, then mayor of Greater Manchester, emerged as the best viable alternative in its scramble for a new leader.”
Update 6.50pm: With the confirmation of Andrew Burnham as the new UK Prime Minister and his official arrival at No. 10 Downing Street earlier today, the Government of Bermuda offered the following.
A Cabinet Office spokesperson said, “The Government of Bermuda extends its congratulations to Prime Minister Andy Burnham on his appointment as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
“Bermuda values its longstanding and historic relationship with the UK and looks forward to continuing constructive engagement with the new administration on issues of mutual interest, including economic development, security, climate resilience, and the advancement of opportunities for the people of Bermuda.
“The Government also looks forward to working closely with Prime Minister Burnham and the new Foreign Secretary, the Rt. Hon. Ed Miliband MP, to further strengthen the partnership between Bermuda and the United Kingdom in the years ahead.”
Interesting, drilling for oil & gas is now a good thing in Green UK?
Let’s see where that goes.
Then a general election. Nobody anywhere in the world is good enough. Anarchy world wide.
Northern Monkey.