PM meets Scottish first minister, rules out independence referendum
Prime Minister Andy Burnham met with the Scottish First Minister and ruled out a second independence referendum but expressed openness to further devolution.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Andy Burnham has become the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, completing a rapid political ascent that saw him return to Parliament as an MP just over a month ago. He was formally appointed by King Charles on Monday after Keir Starmer tendered his resignation, becoming the seventh Prime Minister since 2016 and the fifth in four years.
In his first address outside Downing Street, delivered without a lectern or notes, Burnham acknowledged the public's frustration with political instability. "I am acutely conscious that I am the sixth person in the last ten years to walk up this street," he said. He promised a "circuit breaker for Britain" and the "biggest changes in the last 40 years," including a new political and economic model. He announced immediate measures to help with the cost of living, to be detailed the following day, and a ten-year plan to be published later this year. His first specific policy pledge was to end rough sleeping in the country.
Earlier in the day, Starmer gave his farewell speech, insisting he was leaving the country "stronger and fairer" and wishing Burnham success. He then went to Buckingham Palace to resign.
Burnham's first full day as Prime Minister saw him chair his first cabinet meeting and announce a series of key appointments. The most surprising was John Healey, the former Defence Secretary who resigned last month over defence funding, becoming Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ed Miliband, the former Labour leader and Energy Secretary, was appointed Foreign Secretary. Shabana Mahmood remained Home Secretary, while Yvette Cooper moved from Foreign Secretary to Health Secretary. Louise Haigh, a close Burnham ally, became First Secretary of State. Other appointments included Wes Streeting as Defence Secretary and Angela Rayner returning to Housing Secretary.
Later in the week, Burnham travelled to Glasgow to meet Scottish First Minister John Swinney. He ruled out a second independence referendum but expressed openness to further devolution of powers to Scotland and other parts of the UK. Swinney said he would engage constructively in that process, though he noted he did not support the mayoral model of devolution favoured by Burnham.
The transition of power was marked by a change in tone. Burnham's style was notably more informal and optimistic than his predecessor's, with his team emphasising a focus on "vibes" and a break from what they called the "doom and gloom" of the Starmer era. However, critics, including Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and some Conservative figures, argued that Burnham had no electoral mandate and that his plans lacked detail. A poll suggested 47% of voters wanted a general election.
Burnham's first international call was with US President Donald Trump, who later posted on social media that they had a "very good conversation" covering North Sea oil, trade, and the military alliance. Trump said the USA would be there to help and wished Burnham "good luck and Godspeed."
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | BBC News | BBC One | BBC Two | Channel 4 | GB News | ITV | Sky News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andy Burnham will become Labour leader at a special NEC meeting and then Prime Minister after Keir Starmer resigns. | ||||||||
| Burnham will give a speech outlining a vision for a 'renewed Labour government' focused on devolution, reindustrialization, and returning power to communities. | ||||||||
| Burnham argues the country has been on the wrong path since the 1980s. | · | |||||||
| John Healey, Ed Miliband, and Shabana Mahmood were among the first to enter Number 10 for cabinet appointments. | · | |||||||
| Shabana Mahmoud is now seen as the front runner for Chancellor, with Ed Miliband falling out of favour. | · | |||||||
| Burnham pledged to end rough sleeping in his first speech as Prime Minister. | · | · | · | |||||
| Burnham said his election represents the most important change in British politics for 40 years. | · | · | · | |||||
| Burnham will announce plans for more North Sea oil and gas drilling in his first speech as PM. | · | · | · | |||||
| Burnham promised to tackle social care and change how the country is governed. | · | · | · | · | · | |||
| Burnham will pay tribute to Keir Starmer, but there is tension between them. | · | · | · | · | · | |||
| Sir Keir Starmer will give a brief address outside Number 10 before resigning. | · | · | · | · | · | |||
| Burnham promised to change politics and bring forward a ten-year plan. | · | · | · | · | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
GB News focused heavily on the lack of a mandate for Burnham, the coronation nature of his leadership, and criticism from Nigel Farage. The channel also highlighted Burnham's dancing and the 'vibes' approach, with a sceptical tone from presenters and guests.
- “I really question all this vacuous talk about devolution for its own sake, about power. He dares to talk about power being given away. What do you think membership of the European Union was?”
- “Andy Burnham says that he's going to bring about a big change. He's got no mandate for that. He should call a general election if he has but we don't see any evidence of a plan.”
BBC ONE West provided a straightforward, factual account of the day's events, focusing on the formalities of the handover, Burnham's speech, and the cabinet appointments. It included local reaction from the West Country and highlighted the devolution agenda.
- “I have just come from Buckingham Palace where I have accepted his majesty the king's invitation to form a government.”
- “Let us make this the moment when Britain starts to believe again the moment we bring back hope.”
BBC TWO's Newsnight provided in-depth analysis of Burnham's speech and cabinet appointments, focusing on the political implications and the contrast with Starmer. The panel discussed the boldness of Burnham's claims and the risks of factionalism.
- “He is the first incoming Prime Minister to root a lot of the problems, the sense of people being left behind, that you pull levers and nothing happens, to the 80s.”
- “I think Andy Burnham has done something which I think a year ago a lot of people would have thought very difficult which is that in Makerfield what he did was he he trounced reform basically and he got tactical votes from other parties to support him against reform.”
BBC News provided comprehensive, rolling coverage of the transition, including multiple reports on Burnham's speech, cabinet appointments, and the meeting with the Scottish First Minister. The tone was neutral and factual, with correspondents explaining the significance of events.
- “I am ready. I am ready. Ready to lead and to build on the foundation laid by one person more than any other.”
- “This change today is the most significant change moment in our politics for 40 years.”
Sky News focused on the 'vibes' and lack of policy detail from Burnham, with correspondents noting that his campaign was based on personality rather than specifics. The channel also highlighted the coronation nature of his leadership and the nervous excitement among Labour MPs.
- “Effectively what has been going on, Sophie, is that he has run a campaign based, how can I put it, largely on vibes, not on specifics.”
- “It's not just about vibes alone but vibes are important. We live in a time where vibes are important, where personality is important, where leadership is important.”
5 News provided a human-interest angle, focusing on the public reaction and the emotional moments of the day, such as Burnham's hug with his mother. The channel also included vox pops from the public expressing scepticism about the lack of a general election.
- “I just feel appallingly shortchanged. Look, he's the Prime Minister, I have no choice but to accept he is my Prime Minister.”
- “Let us make this the moment when Britain starts to believe again. The moment we bring back hope.”
ITV News provided detailed coverage of the transition, including the farewell of Starmer, Burnham's first speech, and the cabinet appointments. The channel emphasised the surprise of John Healey as Chancellor and the political implications of the reshuffle, with analysis from Robert Peston.
- “I go with good grace, I go with a smile and I go proud of everything that we have achieved.”
- “I have a plan. And what I also want you to know is that I won't change. I have a style, it's my style.”
Channel 4 News focused on the contrast between Burnham's optimistic style and Starmer's more dour approach, and the surprise cabinet appointments. The channel also highlighted the 'coup' narrative and the sacking of Starmer loyalists, with analysis from Gary Gibbon.
- “This change today is the most significant change moment in our politics for 40 years.”
- “I am appalled at those briefings. I am appalled at any colleague being on the receiving end of an anonymous briefing.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.