Andy Burnham has set out his vision for Britain as he took over as prime minister.

Burnham’s appointment was confirmed on Monday as he met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace. Becoming the United Kingdom’s seventh premier in a decade, he pledged to end the political instability that has plagued the country and promised to instigate major change.

Burnham replaces Keir Starmer, who was ousted just two years after winning a landslide election victory amid ongoing gains by populist forces.

“Britain needs to show the world that we can regain our stability once ‌‌again,” Burnham said after arriving at his official home, 10 Downing Street in London, to rapturous applause. “We have not been good enough and we need to be better.”

The former mayor of Greater Manchester said he was “fed up” with the country’s ⁠⁠revolving door of leadership, which should invite “a moment for reflection and new resolution” for British politics.

Starmer was ousted by his peers about a month ago. On leaving office, he labelled his work as prime minister “the privilege of my life” and said that Burnham has his “full support”.

Burnham did not refer to Starmer in his speech, instead focusing on how he will implement change.

“We will make this moment a circuit-breaker for Britain, bringing forward the biggest changes in the last 40 years. A new political model and a new economic model,” Burnham declared.

Promising Britons “some breathing space now”, he promised to announce ⁠⁠measures this week to help tackle the cost of living.

The first instruction he will issue is “to end rough sleeping in our country”.

A 10-year plan would come later in 2026, he added. He was careful, however, to note that his promised measures to help with the cost of living would not mean “taking risks with the economy”.

Regarding foreign policy, Burnham said Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be one of the first foreign leaders he will speak with to assure him that British support will remain “resolute” under his premiership.

“I will be with him [Zelenskyy] 100 percent, as Keir Starmer has been, and Keir has done quite an incredible job in not just backing Ukraine, but being there in a personal way,” Burnham said. “And I will be absolutely there for him in the same way.”

The new PM also indicated he would have an early call with United States President Donald Trump. A White House official said shortly afterwards that the two leaders had spoken.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang was quick to offer congratulations to Burnham and spoke of hope for cooperation, the state-run Xinhua news agency said.

Changing cabinet line up

Burnham has begun announcing his senior cabinet appointments, while several figures from Starmer’s government were quick to depart.

Former Defence Secretary John Healey has ⁠been named finance minister after Rachel Reeves was fired.

Healey resigned from Starmer’s government last month after ‌accusing him of failing to invest enough in defence. His appointment suggests the new government will raise spending.

Yvette Cooper has been moved from the Foreign Office to become Health Secretary. Replacing her as Foreign Secretary is former Labour leader Ed Miliband.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy also left government, with Business Secretary Peter Kyle also sacked, according to Sky News.

Shabana Mahmood will remain in her position as Home Secretary.

The “King of the North”, as Burnham has been nicknamed due to his time leading Manchester and supporting working-class issues, has been backed by the Labour Party as the party’s best chance of reining in Nigel Farage’s populist, anti-immigration party Reform UK.

Just two years after centre-left Labour won a landslide in elections, Reform UK leads in the polls, with the next national vote due in 2029.