Andy Burnham took over as UK Prime Minister on Monday after ousting the Labour leader who took the party back into power two years ago.
The change of leadership came after an internal revolt when his predecessor Keir Starmer's party was beset by internal division and had slumped to third in the polls.
The decisive move against him came after Mr Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, won election to parliament in the seat of Makerfield last month.
Both men visited King Charles III at Buckingham Palace to exchange the seals of office. Mr Burnham became the country's seventh prime minister in the past decade after being appointed leader of the governing Labour Party last week.
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Andy Burnham delivers his inaugural speech as the UK's new Prime Minister. Getty Images -
Mr Burnham greets supporters as he arrives at No 10 Downing Street. Reuters -
Mr Burnham thanks supporters outside No 10. Reuters -
King Charles III and Mr Burnham at Buckingham Palace, London, where he invited the leader of the Labour Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government. AFP -
Mr Burnham delivers his speech. AFP -
Mr Burnham and his wife Marie-France van Heel at Buckingham Palace. AFP -
Mr Burnham arrives for an audience with the king at Buckingham Palace. AFP
Mr Burnham promised new political and economic models to drive his agenda. He said his government would take power out of Downing Street and share it with every part of the country.
He said he would bring forward a fully fledged "new Plan for Britain, a 10-year plan" that would address new house building, reindustrialising the UK and a system for social care. Putting people at the heart of everything, he said his first order on entering the building would be to end rough sleeping.
“Let's build a new national sense of unity, of common purpose, and positivity,” he said. “Let us make this the moment when Britain starts to believe again – the moment we bring back hope!”
He added this week would see an announcement that made life "more affordable and all people and places are lifted from where they are now".
Dark clouds
Mr Starmer had earlier sounded a sombre note on leaving, noting the country was faced with big choices on the world stage. “We face a world now where our enemies will stop at nothing to divide us, because of our values, our freedom, our decency, and frankly, because of our unflinching resolve towards the brave people of Ukraine,” he said.
“Under this attack, it is vital that we remember the greatness of the Britain all around us, that while we debate how to fix our problems, there is something we inherit from our country and our character that can give us confidence that we can change our country for the better.”
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Keir Starmer delivers a farewell speech after standing down as prime minister outside No 10 Downing Street. Getty Images -
King Charles III welcomes Mr Starmer at Buckingham Palace, London, where he will formally resign. Getty Images -
Mr Starmer is applauded as he walks out of No 10. EPA -
Mr Starmer and his wife, Victoria, wave to well wishers on Downing Street. Getty Images -
Mr Starmer makes his final speech as prime minister. AFP -
Various members of the UK cabinet and the Labour party gather in Downing Street for the momentous occasion. Getty Images -
Mr and Mrs Starmer leave Downing Street. AFP -
Rachel Reeves, left, Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, is comforted after Mr Starmer's departure. AFP -
Mr Starmer is driven away from Downing Street. Getty Images
Financial markets are waiting on the appointment of a new chancellor to replace Rachel Reeves.
UK debt yields were up marginally more than European equivalents as investors were pricing in one or possibly two quarter-point interest rates rises by the Bank of England this year.
Mr Burnham has said he will stick with Labour’s 2024 election manifesto while pushing his own priority policies, including more devolution of government, overseen by moving parts of the prime ministerial office to Manchester. This would offer more regional control over taxation as well as services such as water, energy and transport.
The new leader has announced the biggest house-building programme since the postwar period.
Mr Burnham has spoken of the need to a “10-year plan” for the country, saying the UK is “not in the right place structurally” and needed a long-term vision.
He has acknowledged people’s frustration over the decision to freeze the cap on tax-free income at £12,570 ($17,000), suggesting he might allow the so-called personal allowance to rise.
