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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
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Frances Ryan

Burnham is taking a bold risk by busting the big lie of politics – that change is impossible

Andy Burnham holds his first No 10 North meeting in Manchester, 24 July 2026.
Andy Burnham holds his first No 10 North meeting in Manchester, 24 July 2026. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/PA

This is the danger zone. The period when one prime minister leaves office and the next takes over can inspire either dread or delight: a few days in which the country forms a gut reaction to the new government.

One week on, Andy Burnham has well and truly ditched the slow fatalism that marked Keir Starmer’s early days in power, in favour of the message that help is on the way: from cost of living support to a pledge to end rough sleeping and Monday’s commitment to fix the social care system.

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