New Labour leader Andy Burnham says he's 'ready to lead' and give Britain 'hope back'

New Labour leader Andy Burnham says he's 'ready to lead' and give Britain 'hope back' The incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham vowed to have the 'courage to fix the big things that politics has neglected' - including the country's broken social care system Andy Burnham insisted today he has a plan to give the country hope back as he was crowned Labour ’s next leader. At a special conference in central London, the former Greater Manchester Mayor said he was "ready to lead" as he prepares to take the reins of power in Downing Street on Monday. In his first speech after being anointed Labour leader, Mr Burnham urged Labour to unite behind him to defeat "Britain's new Right". And the incoming Prime Minister vowed to have the "courage to fix the big things that politics has neglected" - including the country's broken social care system. It came after he indicated the issue would be one of his priorities in No10, pledging to “expend quite a lot of political capital” on what he said has been a long-neglected sector. Mr Burnham, whose wife Marie-France van Heel was in the audience, also told party members: "This is a proud moment you have given me and my family today - and an emotional one. "But it is one for which I am ready. I am ready." Mr Burnham said "forgotten places everywhere up and down this country” were calling “for a return of the Labour they once knew,” adding: “We will be that version of Labour again. "We are united and we put the power that comes from that unity at the service of people and places who have been waiting too long for politics to let them hope again. "That’s what we are going to do everybody. We are going to give them hope back." As removal vans were seen starting to arrive outside Downing Street on Friday morning, Mr Burnham also used his speech to pay tribute to Keir Starmer, who led the party "from our worst defeat to one of the best victories in our history". He added: "Keir put Labour back in a position to change people’s lives and that is what we have been doing these last two years. NHS waiting lists falling for the first time in years... rail back under public control. "Britain’s reputation rebuilt on the world stage. Today, we thank Keir for his service to our Party and to our country." But Mr Burnham, who was seen on stange dancing along to New Order’s True Faith at the TUC's Congress House in central London, also said he would govern in No10 with a "distinctively Labour" style. He added: “We won’t try to out-green the Greens or out-Reform Reform, or doing what we’ve done in the past of wearing too many Tory clothes.” During his speech, Mr Burnham singled out Labour grandees who were in the audience for his speech. They included Lord David Blunkett, Baroness Margaret Beckett and Lord Neil Kinnock, who he said as leader had inspired him to join the party back in 1985. Lord Kinnock later told The Mirror: “I am quite excited - my spirits are lifted.” He added: “Partly because the turmoil is behind us, it’s very important. Secondly because of the very strong sense of direction and purpose conveyed very positively by Andy.” Former Labour PM Gordon Brown, who gave Mr Burnham his first Cabinet role in 2008, posted on X: "Congratulations to my friend Andy Burnham on becoming leader of the Labour Party with a clear mission to transform Britain for the better. "Today, we also thank Keir Starmer for bringing Labour back into government and guiding Britain through difficult times at home and abroad." TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak added: “The TUC sends its congratulations and looks forward to working with the new Prime Minister. Andy Burnham’s government needs to hit the ground running and focus relentlessly on improving the living standards of working people. “For too long, ordinary families have been under the cosh while the tax avoiders and super-rich have made a killing. Every decision and every announcement Andy Burnham makes needs to show working people he’s on their side. “That should start with action to bring down energy bills, taxing banks’ enormous profits to pay for it, and delivering Labour’s workers’ rights agenda in full. And we need action to grow our economy to put more money in the pockets of working people." The leadership announcement came after Mr Burnham ran unopposed for the role, with 379 out of the party’s 403 MPs nominating him to succeed Mr Starmer. In an interview with the BBC on Friday, Mr Burnham also defended not announcing key Cabinet posts as speculation swirls around Westminster over who could succeed Rachel Reeves as Chancellor. In recent days the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has been reported as a top contender for the role, but allies of the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband are still pushing for him to be given the post. But Mr Burnham, who insisted he was yet to make decisions about his top team, 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.” Asked during a visit to Gravesend in Kent if he already knew in his own mind who his Chancellor would be, he said: “I am finalising those decisions, and I will come to conclusions very shortly, and then I will announce those on Monday. “So that’s the normal way. You know, people want everything earlier these days, and there’s lots of speculation, but that’s the orderly way to do it, and I have done it I believe in the right way. I’m not in the job yet, but when I am, I will do it in the proper way.”