Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (Image: Getty)
Nigel Farage demanded “an immediate general election” as Andy Burnham marches into Number 10. The new Prime Minister, being confirmed in the job by the King on Monday, was appointed by Labour MPs after nobody else stood in a leadership election following the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer.
But the Reform UK leader said the British people should decide who governs them. He also took a swipe at Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, after the Tories declined to call for a general election. Mr Farage said: “More taxes, more border chaos, more Europe, and an extra £10 billion in foreign aid – all without any democratic mandate.
“That’s why, unlike the Tories who do not seem to take any interest in fighting elections these days, we are calling for an immediate general election. Burnham must set out his stall, put it to the British people, and let us decide the future of our country.”
Andy Burnham will pledge to restore confidence in Government and give people “breathing room” when he becomes prime minister.
The new Labour leader will set out his domestic priorities in his first speech from Downing Street after visiting the Palace to “kiss hands” with the King and formally take over from Sir Keir Starmer.
He is expected to characterise the moment as one of “reflection and resolution”, arguing Britain must be honest about the challenges it faces and demonstrate it can solve them.
And he will say he is “acutely conscious” that the UK has had seven prime ministers over the last 10 years, and stress the need for more stable and responsible politics.
Allies of Mr Burnham said he would argue that political stability must deliver “tangible” improvements along with the “breathing room” on the cost of living he has previously promised.
Having come to the Labour leadership without a contest barely a month after returning to Westminster, Mr Burnham is yet to set out much of his agenda for his premiership.
He has already said he wants to devolve power away from Westminster as one of his key priorities, driving that agenda with a new “No 10 North” in Manchester, which he is expected to visit later in the week.
Promising a “reset of priorities”, Mr Burnham has also announced he will scrap Sir Keir’s flagship digital ID programme in order to focus money and attention on the cost of living.
In his first week in office, the new prime minister is expected to unveil policies aimed at making people’s lives easier.
Reports have suggested this could include action on energy bills, including allowing more oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.
Environmental campaigners have urged him to stick to Labour’s 2024 manifesto, which promised not to issue new licences for North Sea drilling, arguing they would not reduce energy bills.
Mr Burnham could also face a decision on whether to temporarily nationalise Thames Water as the firm struggles with a £20 billion debt pile.
He has already expressed support for greater public control of essential services, and Thames Water’s main creditors have said they are willing to discuss the issue with his new ministers in an effort to agree a rescue deal and avoid the business falling into a so-called “special administration regime”.
Following his speech in Downing Street, Mr Burnham is expected to begin announcing his cabinet choices.
Attention has focused on who he will choose as his chancellor, with the contest said to be between Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
After becoming party leader on Friday, Mr Burnham said he had still not decided on the appointment, which has been the subject of a series of anonymous briefings against both Mr Miliband and Ms Mahmood despite the new leader’s desire to end factionalism within Labour.
Party deputy leader Lucy Powell told the BBC on Sunday the briefings had been “quite horrible” and “unedifying”.