Andy Burnham says his government will be “unashamedly Labour” as he prepares to replace Keir Starmer

Andy Burnham will promise a new direction for Britain as he prepares to become Labour leader and take over as prime minister next week.

The Makerfield MP is expected to be confirmed as Labour leader at a special party conference in central London on Friday. He will then move into Downing Street on Monday, replacing Sir Keir Starmer after a dramatic change at the top of the party.

The Burnham Labour leadership begins after weeks of pressure on Starmer, who stepped down last month after poor local election results and growing calls from Labour MPs for a fresh start. Burnham’s by-election victory in Makerfield strengthened his position and quickly turned him into the clear successor.

In his first major speech as party leader, Burnham will argue that Britain needs a different political and economic path. He is expected to say his government will be “unashamedly Labour” in its priorities and will have the courage to deal with major problems that Westminster has avoided for too long.

The Burnham Labour leadership is likely to focus heavily on the economy, regional power and public services. Burnham is expected to say that making the economy work for people across the country will require a new approach after decades of uneven growth and neglected communities.

He will promise a government focused on driving growth in every postcode and returning power to local areas. That message reflects the political style that helped him build a national profile as mayor of Greater Manchester, where he often argued that too many decisions were being made in London.

Burnham is also expected to set out a more interventionist Labour agenda. His plans include greater public control over utilities such as water and a renewed push for reindustrialisation. He is likely to present this as a practical programme rather than a symbolic break with the past.

The Burnham Labour leadership will also be framed as a unity project. He will promise to lead for the north and south, as well as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. He is expected to say Labour must be more open to working with other parties on long-term national challenges.

His rise has been rapid. Earlier this week, Burnham became the only leadership candidate after securing the support of hundreds of Labour MPs and most trade unions linked to the party. Senior figures including Wes Streeting and Al Carns decided not to stand against him, clearing the way for an uncontested transfer of power.

Burnham will also use the speech to pay tribute to Starmer, crediting him with winning the 2024 general election and pointing to NHS improvements and investment in public services as achievements of the current Labour government.

But the new prime minister-in-waiting faces immediate pressure. He has yet to announce his full cabinet, and reports suggest Shabana Mahmood is being discussed as a possible chancellor. The decision will be closely watched, especially as Burnham tries to balance extra support for households with promises to keep the public finances under control.

The Burnham Labour leadership is already facing warnings from the International Monetary Fund, which has urged the incoming government to be cautious about new spending demands. The IMF said the UK should stay focused on growing the economy and reducing the deficit.

Burnham has insisted he will not be careless with public money. But he has also signalled that the cost of living will be one of his early priorities in office.

In the coming weeks, he is planning a UK-wide listening tour while Parliament is in recess. He has also floated the idea of a new No 10 unit in Manchester, designed to help shift more power over issues such as housing and transport to local government.

For Labour, the change marks a major gamble. Starmer delivered power, but Burnham now has to prove he can renew it. The Burnham Labour leadership will begin with big promises, high expectations and little time to show voters that his “new path” can work.