Andy Burnham has been officially appointed as the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He succeeds Sir Keir Starmer, who resigned last month after weeks of pressure following Labour’s disappointing performance in the Welsh and Scottish elections and in English local elections.
The former Manchester mayor was the only candidate in the contest to replace him as Labour leader, after returning to Westminster following a nine-year gap with a landslide victory in the Makerfield by-election. It was therefore inevitable that, after securing the leadership unopposed on Friday with the backing of 379 Labour MPs, he would become the next resident of 10 Downing Street from Monday.
What does Burnham’s arrival in Downing Street mean?
Burnham’s move into No 10 has already prompted questions about what it will mean for Wales and for relations between Cardiff and Westminster. Further coverage has focused on the likely implications of his leadership for devolution and for the Labour government’s direction in the coming months.
How did Sir Keir Starmer leave office?
In a brief address in Downing Street before travelling to Buckingham Palace to present his formal resignation to the King, Sir Keir Starmer said he was leaving his post
“with grace, with a smile and proud of all that we have achieved”.
He described his time as prime minister as
“the honour of my life”and said he hoped the UK was
“stronger and fairer”than when he arrived at Downing Street two years ago.
He said he was now handing over the reins to Andy Burnham.
“I wish him every success. I back him fully.”
Fe wnaeth Syr Keir Starmer anerchiad byr yn Downing Street cyn teithio i Balas Buckingham i gyflwyno ei ymddiswyddiad ffurfiol i'r Brenin
How is Burnham’s leadership being viewed?
On Dros Frecwast, political commentator Dafydd Rees said:
“Mae'n teimlo fel cyfnod newydd, ond peidiwch anghofio - hwn yw'r cyfle ola' i Lafur.
“Mae'n rhaid i hwn weithio a mae'n rhaid i Andy Burnham 'neud gwahaniaeth yn gloi iawn.
“Dan ni'n clywed gan bob gwleidydd am bwysigrwydd y 100 diwrnod cynta - rwy'n credu bod tamaid bach o amser gan Andy Burnham, ond dim gymaint â hynny.
“Dan ni'n gymdeithas sy'n disgwyl newid - 'dan ni eisie gweld gwahaniaeth.”
His remarks came alongside broader discussion of the pressure on Burnham to deliver quickly and to show that Labour can meet public expectations of change.
What are Labour figures saying about the new government?
Also on Dros Frecwast, Labour MP for Llanelli Nia Griffith said she would be
“yn falch iawn”to see Andy Burnham in 10 Downing Street so that government could begin
“canolbwyntio ar be' sy'n mynd i helpu pobol fwyaf”.
“Mae wedi bod yn gyfnod anodd - mae pawb yn cydnabod hyn.... Fi'n gobeithio nawr bydd e'n cael cyfres dda o bobol o bob rhan o'r blaid yn ei gabinet i sicrhau bod ni'n cael y rhaglen orau.”
Separate headlines also highlighted calls for Andy Burnham to
“weithredu'n wahanol i'w ragflaenwyr”on devolution, as well as a report saying Burnham is
“ddim yn bwriadu diwygio”the Welsh funding formula.
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