ANDY BURNHAM TO BECOME PRIME MINISTER AFTER LABOUR LEADERSHIP ELECTION

Andy Burnham has been elected Labour Party leader and will be confirmed at a special conference in London. The Makerfield MP secured backing from 349 Labour MPs and trade unions linked to the party. He will deliver a speech outlining his vision for the country, stating that "Britain took a series of wrong turns in the 1980s" when "political power was centralised and economic power privatised". Burnham will become prime minister after Sir Keir Starmer formally recommends him to the King as his successor on Monday.

Burnham will be the first prime minister in 50 years to represent a constituency in north-west England and only the third premier since 1900 to hold a seat in the region. Speculation is mounting over his Cabinet appointments, with sources suggesting Shabana Mahmood could be appointed chancellor, though Burnham has not confirmed his plans. The International Monetary Fund has urged Burnham's incoming government to take a cautious approach to public spending, recommending it remain selective in accommodating new demands and prioritise deficit reduction rather than increasing total spending.

The fund, which has around 190 member countries, advised that future spending reviews should focus on reallocating resources across departments rather than expanding total expenditure. Burnham's speech will frame his government as distinctly Labour and will address the economic direction set during the 1980s. His formal assumption of office follows the conclusion of the Labour leadership election process.