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Andy Burnham gives first speech as Prime Minister
The new Prime Minister says the UK needs big changes, sparking debate about his plans for the country.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham speaking at the podium in the House of Commons.
By John Doe
Reporting from United Kingdom 
Sept. 1, 2026, 11:51 p.m. - 5 hours ago
Andy Burnham has given his first speech in Parliament as the new Prime Minister. He told lawmakers that the UK is in need of "substantial change."
Burnham laid out his vision for the country, which includes giving more power to local areas. He wants more public control over essential services, like trains and buses. This idea is called devolution, which basically means moving power from the central government in London to cities and regions across the country.
In his speech, Burnham pointed to past mistakes made by previous governments. He specifically blamed Brexit—the UK leaving the European Union—and the policies of former leader Margaret Thatcher for putting the country on the wrong path.
Not everyone is happy with his plan. Some critics have accused him of trying to take Britain back to how things were in the 1970s, a time often associated with economic trouble and strikes.
Despite the pushback, Burnham is pushing forward with his promise to change how the country works. He says these shifts are necessary to fix the problems the UK is facing today.
Source: BBC
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