Andy Burnham reveals his cabinet lineup: Miliband for Foreign Affairs, Shabana Mahmood remains Home Secretary

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s successor, Andy Burnham, who pledged to bring about “radical change” in the United Kingdom, unveiled the contours of his new government on Tuesday, sidelining close allies of his predecessor. This follows his appointment as the seventh UK prime minister since 2016.

Following his appointment, Burnham revealed his cabinet, as is customary, after King Charles III tasked him with forming a government. In an unexpected move, he appointed former Defence Secretary John Healey, who resigned from Starmer’s government over budget disagreements, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, succeeding Rachel Reeves. Healey faces a daunting task given the country’s sluggish economic growth and fiscal pressures stemming from high levels of public debt.

Former Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has been appointed Foreign Secretary. Shabana Mahmood, known for her hardline stance on immigration, remains in her post as Home Secretary.

On Monday evening, Wes Streeting was appointed Defence Secretary. Streeting had previously resigned as Health Secretary in Starmer’s government and had intended to challenge Burnham for the Labour Party leadership before withdrawing.

Close allies of Keir Starmer, such as outgoing Lord Chancellor and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, outgoing Chancellor Rachel Reeves, and former Trade Secretary Peter Kyle, were excluded from the new cabinet.

The new prime minister became Labour Party leader after securing the support of approximately 95% of his MPs, automatically entitling him to form the government given the party’s parliamentary majority.

In his first speech as prime minister, Burnham pledged to launch “the widest-ranging change in the country in four decades” and to work on restoring a sense of hope among citizens. Standing outside Downing Street, he affirmed that “the United Kingdom must show the world its ability to restore stability,” adding that he aims to revive the nation’s industrial sector, build more social housing, and establish a “new economy” where the state plays a larger role in overseeing essential services.

He focused on social issues, promising swift action “to relieve the burden on citizens and help them cope with the cost of living,” without announcing specific measures. In his speech, delivered alongside his wife Mary Frances van Heel, his children, and his mother, he emphasized that tackling homelessness would be a top priority. He chose his first official visit on Tuesday morning to a center supporting people experiencing homelessness.

According to a government source speaking to AFP, Burnham spoke with US President Donald Trump, stressing his commitment to ensuring “defense and security,” as stated by the Prime Minister’s Office. Trump, for his part, said he had a “very good conversation” with Burnham, praising the “special relationship” between their countries and noting that they would meet soon. Trump confirmed on his Truth Social platform that “the Prime Minister has a big job ahead of him, but he will be able to get it done, and of course the United States will be there to help,” adding that they discussed issues including trade, military cooperation, and de-mining the Strait of Hormuz.

A number of foreign leaders quickly congratulated Burnham, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her happiness at working with him “to strengthen the partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom,” particularly in the field of security, in a post on X. Burnham also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Labour Party is betting that Burnham, nicknamed the “King of the North” for his three consecutive wins as Mayor of Manchester, represents the best chance to curb the rise of Nigel Farage, leader of the right-wing Reform UK party. Opinion polls suggest that this anti-immigration party is the favorite to win the next general election, expected in 2029.

Conservative opposition leader Kemi Badenock criticized Burnham’s assumption of the premiership “without presenting a clear plan” for the country’s future in a letter addressed to him.

The British government announced on Tuesday that it would exempt families from value-added tax (VAT) on domestic electricity bills during the upcoming winter, marking the first measure by the new prime minister aimed at boosting purchasing power.

In a statement, Burnham said, “I said I wanted to give people a bit of a break, and that is what I am announcing on my second day as Prime Minister.” The decision to cancel this tax will take effect from October 1 next year.

The government estimates that this tax measure will reduce the electricity bill for an average household by approximately £45 (about $60) annually. This policy will cost the state budget £850 million ($1.14 billion) this year, with funding to be secured from savings resulting from the cancellation of the digital identity card project.