Burnham says he is 'finalising' cabinet ahead of becoming PM on Monday

The MP for Makerfield has firmly established himself as the only contender for Labour’s leadership, securing the endorsement of 379 Labour MPs alongside all 11 affiliated trade unions earlier this week. He is set to succeed Sir Keir as prime minister on Monday after meeting with King Charles III. When questioned about his future cabinet, he stated, “I am finalising those decisions, and I will come to conclusions very shortly, and then I will announce those on Monday.”

During his inaugural speech as Labour leader at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) headquarters in central London, he emphasized that his cabinet selections will represent “all parts of our party” and “all communities.” He promised his administration would restore “hope” to working-class communities, which he claimed have been neglected by the political establishment. Central to his message is a commitment to devolve power from Westminster to regional governments, a theme he has consistently stressed since declaring his leadership bid. He also pledged to bring about the most significant transformation in decades, rejecting the “neoliberal” policies of the past 40 years—including those enacted during his own previous government—and promised to focus on reindustrializing the nation.

Addressing Labour MPs, he called for unity, insisting that internal divisions must end if the party is to effectively challenge Britain’s new right-wing forces. “We won’t beat Britain’s new right if we are consumed by infighting and pulling in different directions,” he warned. His governing style, he said, would prioritize “problem-solving rather than point-scoring.” He closed his remarks by expressing clarity about his convictions and plans, declaring, “I have a plan.”

While his speech included few specifics on policy, more details are expected once he officially takes office. Among his top priorities, he highlighted reforming the social care system, indicating he would invest significant political capital into revamping this long-neglected sector. Since social care is devolved, any changes would apply only within England. He noted that unlike the NHS, social care is not universally free, and high costs can force individuals to sell their homes to cover expenses. He has championed such reform for years; notably, as health secretary under Gordon Brown in 2010, he proposed a National Care Service modeled on the NHS, offering free care at the point of use. Reflecting on the issue personally, he shared, “My dad has Alzheimer’s, and you see what the staff have to put up with. It’s not their fault. The system’s broken.” He criticized Westminster for consistently avoiding these tough decisions, stating, “You can’t leave social care like this. And this is part of my criticism of Westminster. It has flinched over the years from these big decisions.”

Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake called on him to recall Parliament, which is in recess until September, so Burnham can present and explain his plans to MPs. Hollinrake remarked, “It’s not too late for Andy Burnham to do the right thing, make a statement, and answer questions from members of Parliament on Monday about his ‘plan’.” Meanwhile, Linda Hobson from Unison, a union affiliated with Labour, stressed the importance of Burnham fulfilling his promises, saying he “must get this right and bring back the hope he promises.” Burnham’s rapid ascent follows his recent by-election win in Makerfield and marks his third attempt at Labour leadership. Labour has lagged behind Reform UK in opinion polls for nearly 18 months, and his supporters are hopeful his premiership will change the party’s luck. Sir Keir resigned last month, acknowledging that he was not the best person to lead the party into the next general election. Following significant losses in May’s local elections and Burnham’s by-election success, pressure mounted within the party for Sir Keir to step down. On Friday, Burnham paid tribute to Sir Keir’s government record, highlighting achievements such as improved workers’ and renters’ rights, reduced NHS waiting lists, and the re-nationalization of rail services

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