Swapna Kumbar , Bengaluru - Andy Burnham has taken office as Britain’s new prime minister, succeeding Keir Starmer after a rapid political transition in Downing Street. Burnham said his government will be a “circuit-breaker” and pledged a new social and political model focused on stability, fairness and long-term reform.

Burnham said the country needs a fresh direction after years of political turbulence and repeated changes in leadership. He promised a 10-year plan to restore confidence in government, revive the economy and shift power away from Westminster toward communities across the UK.

The new prime minister has also signalled a more interventionist agenda, with more emphasis on social policy, regional autonomy and a rebalanced economy. His allies say the aim is to rebuild trust in politics and create a model that works better for everyday people, not just for the centre of power in London.

Starmer, meanwhile, left office on a conciliatory note, saying he was passing the baton with “good grace” and “a smile,” and wishing Burnham success. He framed his departure as the end of a completed mission, saying, “my work is done,” as he formally stepped aside at 10 Downing Street.

Burnham’s arrival marks a major shift in U.K. politics, with a promise of long-term reform rather than short-term fixes. Whether his new model can deliver the stability and renewal he is promising will now be the key test of his premiership.