The UK’s new prime minister, Andy Burnham, has taken on the leadership of the country at a divisive and unstable time. The divisions stem from attitudes over immigration and its economic and cultural impacts, as well as the apparent instability of the UK political system.
As Burnham prepared to deliver his first speech as prime minister, he walked up Downing Street to applauding party members. This fits Burnham’s preferred form of communicating, given he has prided himself on being a politician who connects with voters directly. He also greeted his friend and ally, the mayor of Liverpool Steve Rotherham, solidifying the image of a “northern takeover” of Number 10.
