Andy Burnham, in his first statement as prime minister to the House of Commons, criticized the economic impact of Brexit, describing it as part of a "series of wrong turns" the United Kingdom has made since the 1980s. He said Brexit "ushered in a decade of low growth" for which the country is still paying the price. Burnham linked the consequences of Brexit to broader issues including over-centralization of government, deindustrialization, and the privatization of industry.

Burnham’s remarks marked a notable departure in tone from his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, emphasizing a move away from partisan point-scoring toward cooperation across parties to address national challenges. He acknowledged that the UK faces ongoing difficulties, stating that life is increasingly expensive and hard for many citizens. To provide relief, his government’s initial actions aimed to ease pressures on businesses and individuals.

The prime minister’s speech also outlined several key priorities. He paid tribute to Sir Keir Starmer, who announced his intention to quit Parliament following his removal from Downing Street. Burnham reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia and praised previous Conservative and Labour leadership for their roles in confronting Vladimir Putin. He expressed determination to uphold net zero climate policies, citing the recent flash floods in Nepal as a reminder of the escalating climate crisis. However, Burnham avoided direct responses to questions from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch on defense spending, taxation, and welfare reform. Additionally, he suggested that electoral reform might be considered, following calls by Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey for a national commission to review the political system.

Regarding Brexit, Burnham reiterated his position—maintaining the Labour Party's red lines of not rejoining the European Union, single market, or customs union—while leaving open the possibility of revisiting related policies by the next election. This contrasts with his earlier stance as mayor of Manchester, where he had favored rejoining the EU.

Burnham’s comments have been welcomed by pro-EU advocates. Naomi Smith, chief executive of the campaign group Best for Britain, praised the prime minister for openly acknowledging the economic harm Brexit has inflicted on Britain, including shrinking the economy and reducing safety and unity. She urged Burnham to consider all options, including rejoining the EU, as a means to deliver broad economic growth and restore public confidence in the Labour Party.

Conversely, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Burnham for his absence during his first 43 days in office and mocked his claims regarding Brexit’s impact. The debate underscores ongoing political divisions over Britain’s departure from the EU and its economic legacy.

Since taking office in July, Burnham has initiated a devolution agenda aimed at transferring powers to elected mayors and hinted at reversing some privatization moves, with water companies potentially among the first to return to public ownership.