Burnham has the 'guts' for a 'bolder agenda' than Starmer, says Lucy Powell
Andy Burnham will officially be sworn in to Number 10 on Monday, and is said to be focused on resetting the government's priorities and re-centring his focus on "everyday" issues facing Brits across the country
Lucy Powell has said Andy Burnham has the "guts" to pursue a "bolder agenda" than Sir Keir Starmer, as she sought to draw a clear dividing line between the incoming Prime Minister and his predecessor.
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Speaking about Andy Burnham’s plans, the deputy leader said Labour had long agreed on what had gone wrong in the country.
She said Sir Keir recognised they needed to end trickle-down economics "many times", but failed to do so.
Praising the Makerfield MP, she told LBC: “I think Andy's coming in with his experience, both of national government, of his leadership in Greater Manchester, with a clearer understanding and a bigger vision, a bolder agenda about how that's actually going to be realised.”
Mr Burnham will officially be sworn in to Number 10 on Monday, and is said to be focused on resetting the government's priorities and re-centring his focus on "everyday" issues facing Brits across the country.
Ms Powell insisted he had "the guts, the ability and the vision" to deliver the Labour party's vision.
The deputy leader also confirmed that Mr Burnham's all-new cabinet would be announced tomorrow. It's promised to represent "all parts" of Labour, in comparison to the more narrow one considered to have been adopted by Sir Keir's government.
Read More: Labour fears ‘Pestminster’ list could shape Andy Burnham’s Cabinet as he prepares to enter Number 10
'Just to be clear, you think Keir Starmer's government was "neoliberal"?'
— LBC (@LBC) July 19, 2026
@Lewis_Goodall presses Labour's @LucyMPowell on whether Andy Burnham's government will be 'more left-wing' than its predecessor. pic.twitter.com/e1xVN0O6nk
Mr Burnham hinted that he would lead his government in a complete reversal to Thatcherism, and said during a speech on Friday that he would "do politics differently".
Angela Rayner is believed to be the frontrunner to replace James Murray as Health Secretary in a move that would mark her comeback to the government after she was forced to resign as Deputy Prime Minister after failing to pay £40,000 in stamp duty on a second home she owned.
Shabana Mahmood has also been tipped for a reshuffle, which could see her take Rachel Reeves' role as Chancellor.
The Home Secretary faces competition from Ed Miliband and Wes Streeting but is reportedly the frontrunner to move to the Treasury.
An ally of Ms Mahmood, who worked as a shadow Treasury minister under Ed Balls, said this week that the Home Secretary was prepared to do what is right over what is popular.
She is said to have divided Labour MPs with a series of hardline immigration reforms, making it harder for people to stay in Britain and claim refugee status while making it easier to deport people with no right to be in Britain.
The former Greater Manchester Mayor has repeatedly refused to shed light on how his cabinet may shape up.
Speaking from a special party conference in London where he was declared Labour Party leader, he said: "You do that when you do take over.
"You make those decisions, and it would be somewhat premature and would I think cause complete chaos if you start half a reshuffle before you’re in the position."
Mr Burnham is also set to scrap Labour's plan to introduce a digital ID programme when he becomes PM.
He vowed the money and time dedicated to bringing in the scheme will instead be diverted to help tackle the cost-of-living.
The scheme originally announced by Sir Keir was to make ID cards mandatory, but following backlash, it was tweaked to no longer be compulsory for working-age people.
Brits were still going to be required to verify their ID digitally, but it emerged on Saturday evening that Mr Burnham will scrap the whole scheme when he takes office.
A spokesperson for the incoming PM said: "One of the first things this government will do is put its focus where people need it right now: creating breathing space and delivering change they can feel in their everyday lives.
"That means all the time and resources that was going to be spent on a national ID scheme will go instead to where it’s most needed, such as helping with the cost of living.
"This government is determined to bring power back to communities, instead of hoarding it in Whitehall. We will work every day to lift this country back up to where it belongs, with growth in every postcode, and hope in every heart."