"I will put the care of people at the heart of everything I do."
Speech Title | Andy Burnham's First Speech as Prime Minister |
Message | I am different to those other politicians |
Speaker | Prime Minister Andy Burnham |
Location | Podium on the steps of No.10 Downing Street |
Date | 20 Jul 2026 |
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The Situation
On 26 July, Andy Burnham MP became Prime Minister. He has served as an aide, a Cabinet Minister, and as Mayor of Greater Manchester. As is traditional, he spoke to the nation before entering No.10 Downing Street.
The Complications
The UK Labour Party won the 2024 General Election after a disciplined campaign focused on one message: Change. Sir Kier Starmer led & became the new Prime Minister.
The Labour Party grew unhappy with Sir Kier, and deposed him.
The Question
Who is Andy Burnham & how will he lead?
As Prime Minister, Andy Burnham is determined to present himself as a man of the people. His language demonstrates his political experience.
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Attuned
attuned adjective
able to understand or recognize something.
Evidence
I know people at home are fed up with politics. I hear you.
And I will set out some of those measures starting tomorrow, including how we pay for them.
But I can do something to give people some breathing space now, some help with the cost of living.
Optimistic
optimistic adjective
hoping or believing that good things will happen in the future.
Evidence
We will take power out of here and carry it into every postcode in the land so that they can do more.
We will help people to live well, building a more preventative state, investing in people’s success, rather than paying for failure.
Let us make this the moment when Britain starts to believe again.
A pacesetter leader
"Leaders who are pacesetters opt to lead by example. They value results and take initiative to pursue goals. They also tend to have high standards, seek challenges, and thrive under pressure."
We will make this moment a circuit breaker for Britain, bringing forward the biggest changes in the last forty years.
Later this year, I will bring forward a new plan for Britain, a 10-year plan, laying out a path from where we are now to where I believe we all want Britain to be, wherever we’re coming from, whatever party we support.
I will give this my all, and I ask you all to pull with me.
5 min 30 sec speaking time
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Reference List
Reference List
BBC (2026). ‘A circuit-breaker moment’ - watch Andy Burnham’s first speech as PM in full. [online] BBC News. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c934q2kkkvxo [Accessed 9 Oct. 2026].
Labour Party (2024). Labour Party Manifesto 2024: Our plan to change Britain . [online] The Labour Party. Available at: https://labour.org.uk/updates/stories/labour-manifesto-2024-sign-up/ [Accessed 9 Oct. 2026].
Number 10 (2026a). Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrives at 10 Downing Street. [online] Flickr. Available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/number10gov/55405578362 [Accessed 9 Oct. 2026].
Number 10 (2026b). Prime Minister Andy Burnham Works in No10 North. [online] Flickr. Available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/number10gov/55415833718 [Accessed 9 Oct. 2026].
Parsons, L. (2024). How to determine what my leadership style is. [online] Professional & Executive Development | Harvard DCE. Available at: https://professional.dce.harvard.edu/blog/how-to-determine-what-my-leadership-style-is/ [Accessed 9 Oct. 2026].
Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street (2026). Andy Burnham’s first speech as Prime Minister: 20 July 2026. [online] GOV.UK. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/andy-burnhams-first-speech-as-prime-minister-20-july-2026 [Accessed 9 Oct. 2026].
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