The second largest economy in Europe and one of the two nuclear powers on the continent has a new head of Government. The Labour Party member Andy Burnham, who until last month was the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has just completed the "kissing of hands," as the protocol event behind closed doors is popularly known, in which the King of England - in this case, Charles III - asks him to form a Government and he accepts.
Next, the new Prime Minister will go to his official residence at Downing Street and make his first public statements in his new position.
Burnham is expected to bring a certain shift towards populism. But without departing from the general lines of his predecessor's management, Keir Starmer, who bid farewell to the United Kingdom this morning after just twenty-three months in office as Prime Minister. "The country is stronger and fairer than it was two years ago," stated Starmer.
Burnham is expected to deliver a speech focused on devolving power from London to the northern regions of England, a strategy to counter Nigel Farage's far-right movement that is attracting Labour voters with its anti-immigration stance. A relaxation of Starmer's strict climate change policies is also anticipated, including permits to expand existing oil and gas extraction operations in the North Sea. Finally, Burnham will announce social policies aimed at assisting the most vulnerable sectors of the population.
His speech should be emotional. In stark contrast to Starmer's: cold, dignified, without any sentimentality. He didn't start listing numbers - it wasn't the place - but he was close when he began mentioning what he considers the achievements of his Government. And he once again highlighted where his legacy will endure the most: foreign policy, when he said, "We live in a world where our enemies have an unyielding will to divide us because of our values, our decency, and our unwavering purpose to support the brave people of Ukraine." That was the only foreign country he mentioned in his brief address.
Starmer recalled the "overwhelming victory in the 2022 elections" - one of the most decisive in the history of the United Kingdom. And he said, "the country is better off now than it was two years ago." To support this thesis, he mentioned "the reduction in immigration, child poverty, and waiting lists, and the increase in the country's international prestige."
The outgoing Prime Minister, who resigns after losing the support of his parliamentarians, stated, "I wish Andy Burnham, his successor, every success," who will assume office in the next two hours. Finally, Starmer, with a patriotic sense, recalled "the greatness of the British people. Something we inherit from our country and our character, and that can make us better."