Speaking unusually without a podium from outside No10, the Makerfield MP said this is “a moment for reflection and new resolution” and Britain must “regain our stability once again”.
Announcing his 10-year plan for Britain, he said: “I have just come from Buckingham Palace where I have accepted His Majesty the King’s invitation to form a Government.
“In doing so, I am acutely conscious that I am the sixth person in the last 10 years to walk up this street, the seventh prime minister since 2016, making this a moment for reflection and new resolution.
“It requires my generation of politicians to raise our game and rise to the new challenge.
“Britain needs to show the world that we can regain our stability once again and that is our challenge to make politics work, to make it work better.
“I know people at home are fed up with politics. I hear you, and I want to be honest with you. We have not been good enough and we need to be better. We will be.
“We will make this moment a circuit breaker for Britain, bringing forward the biggest changes in the last 40 years. A new political model and a new economic model.”
His comments came before his Cabinet reshuffle, with the likes of Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and Attorney General Lord Hermer being purged from Mr Burnham’s Cabinet.
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Lisa Nandy ‘very’ happy to stay on Culture beat
Lisa Nandy, who has kept her job as Culture Secretary, told reporters she was “very” happy with her job as she left Downing Street smiling tonight.
Angela Rayner reappointed as Housing Secretary despite failing to pay tax on £800,000 flat
| PAAngela Rayner has been reappointed as Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary – 10 months after she left the role for failing to pay enough tax on her £800,000 flat in Hove, East Sussex.
Jonathan Reynolds, who was previously Business and Trade Secretary, as well as President of the Board of Trade, is back in the role.
Labour’s Deputy Leader Lucy Powell MP has replaced Bridget Phillipson as Education Secretary, although the latter will remain in Cabinet as Minister for Women and Equalities.
And Anneliese Midgley is Andy Burnham’s new Chief Whip.
No mention of migration in Andy Burnham-Emmanuel Macron talk transcript
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has spoken to French President Emmanuel Macron.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “The Prime Minister began by setting out how he is looking forward to building on the strong UK-France relationship to deliver for people on both sides of the Channel.
“Turning to Ukraine, the two leaders discussed the need to work together to continue supporting Ukraine as it resists Russia’s full-scale invasion, including through co-chairing the Coalition of the Willing.
“On the Middle East, the two leaders agreed the need to continue efforts towards deescalation and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“They also discussed continuing the UK and France’s close co-operation on energy and defence, and the Prime Minister paid tribute to President Macron for his efforts to bring the Bayeux Tapestry to the UK, which underlined the UK and France’s enduring friendship.
“The two leaders look forward to speaking again and the Prime Minister welcoming President Macron to the United Kingdom at the earliest opportunity.”
John Healey insists Andy Burnham ‘will meet UK’s commitments on defence’
John Healey has said the new Government led by Andy Burnham “will meet our commitments on defence to our international allies”.
The new Chancellor was asked by broadcasters on Monday night if he would meet a commitment to spend 3 per cent of national economic output on defence by 2030.
Mr Healey expressed frustration Sir Keir Starmer had not set out a clear timetable for the commitment when he resigned last month as defence secretary.
Asked if welfare cuts or new taxes were on the cards to meet the goal, Mr Healey said: “Fiscal control is the first duty of any chancellor. It is mine. And fiscal credibility is the bedrock for economic stability and for national security.
“You heard the Prime Minister this afternoon say, in this more dangerous world, we will meet our commitments on defence to our international allies.”
Ed Miliband promises to ‘fight for Britain’s interests’
Ed Miliband has said the Foreign Office will be “at the forefront of issues which pose profound and substantial threats to justice and equality in Britain and across the world” under his stewardship.
In a statement shared on social media, he said: “It is a great honour and privilege to have been appointed by the Prime Minister to serve as Foreign Secretary.
“My parents came to Britain as Jewish refugees from the Nazis. To them, Britain was both a sanctuary and a beacon of hope in the global fight against fascism. I will carry my parents’ faith in that spirit of Britain to my role representing our country.
“I will be a Foreign Secretary who fights for Britain’s interests and our values of democracy, freedom and the rule of law on the world stage.”
He promised to maintain close ties with both the EU and the United States, as well as upholding Britain’s commitments to Nato and the United Nations.
Mr Miliband added: “The FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) I lead will also be at the forefront of issues which pose profound and substantial threats to justice and equality in Britain and across the world.
“We will work with others on tackling the climate crisis, strengthening our partnerships for international development, and reforming our international institutions so they deliver for all countries, including the world’s poorest people.”
Yvette Cooper switches to Department of Health
| GETTYYvette Cooper has been appointed as Andy Burnham’s Health Secretary, while Pat McFadden will remain as Work and Pensions Secretary, Downing Street has just announced.
In 1999, the former foreign and home secretary was made a junior health minister at the age of 30 – the youngest at the time.
She gave the media outside Downing Street a big smile as she left No10 alongside Mr McFadden.
Ann Widdecombe murder suspect charged as police provide major update
The former Conservative minister turned to Reform UK as its spokeswoman | GETTYA 28-year-old man, Joshua Kerry, has been charged with the murder of Ann Widdecombe, the Crown Prosecution Service has said.
The former Conservative minister-turned-Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor at about 11.40am on July 8 after sustaining serious injuries.
Kerry, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court tomorrow morning.