Andy Burnham was confirmed on Friday as the new leader of Britain’s governing Labour Party, replacing Keir Starmer and setting up his formal appointment as prime minister on Monday.
Burnham used his first speech as leader to promise a change in Labour’s internal culture, saying he would work to build “one Labour team” and move the party away from infighting.
“We won’t beat Britain’s new right if we are consumed by infighting and pulling in different directions,” Burnham said. He added that ending what he called Labour’s “insidious briefing culture” would be a defining part of his leadership.
Burnham also paid tribute to Starmer, saying the outgoing prime minister had taken Labour from one of its worst defeats to one of its strongest victories and had put the party back in a position to change people’s lives.
He pointed to workers’ rights, renters’ rights, falling NHS waiting lists, rail returning to public control and Britain’s restored international standing as part of Starmer’s record.
Burnham’s confirmation completes Labour’s leadership transition after weeks in which he emerged as the clear successor. He is expected to enter Downing Street on Monday, when he formally replaces Starmer as prime minister.
