The momentous passage of the Hillsborough Law, championed by Andy Burnham throughout his parliamentary career, marks a poignant milestone in the transfer of power from Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The bill's approval is a testament to Mr Burnham's enduring dedication to justice for the victims and their families, which began 14 years ago when he addressed a crowd of furious Liverpool fans on the 20th anniversary of the disaster.
Mr Burnham's connection to Hillsborough stretches back to his time as Culture Secretary in 2009. He later introduced a private member's bill in 2017, seeking to establish a legal duty of candour for public officials and prevent institutional cover-ups – albeit one that was lost due to the snap general election. His decision to deliver his first speech since returning to Parliament during the debate on the law has heightened expectations around his leadership style.
As the incoming Prime Minister, Mr Burnham will inherit a number of challenges, including implementing the long-delayed defence investment plan. However, securing an additional £5 billion annually for this project poses significant difficulties. The outgoing Prime Minister's recent announcements – such as the social media ban for under-16s and the support package for Ukraine worth €90 billion (£78 billion) – present a mixed legacy.
On the international stage, Mr Starmer has attempted to repair ties with Europe and other key partners. He has joined the EU's support package for Ukraine and worked to ease tensions at the NATO summit in Ankara, while also signing a trade deal with Switzerland. However, this transition has not been uniformly smooth – evidenced by the EU's decision to delay its second 'reset' summit with the UK.
Mr Burnham is already asserting his influence on key policy areas. He has expressed interest in deporting the ringleader of a notorious Rochdale grooming gang and indicated support for Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's changes to indefinite leave to remain and refugee settlement. These actions demonstrate his immediate engagement with critical policy issues ahead of formally assuming leadership.