British new Prime Minister Burnham forms a cabinet

The Office of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom said in a message released on the 20th that the newly appointed prime minister, Andy Burnham, formed a new cabinet that day. Among the members of the new cabinet, John Healey was appointed as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Previously, he stepped down as Secretary of State for Defence because he was dissatisfied with the funding package for the defence investment plan. Wes Streeting was appointed as Secretary of State for Defence. This former health secretary had once been seen as a potential candidate for prime minister, but in the end he withdrew from the race to lead the governing Labour Party and backed Burnham.

In other major posts, Shebana Mahmood was appointed Home Secretary, Ed Miliband was appointed Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper was appointed Health Secretary, and Jonathan Reynolds was appointed Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Science. Earlier, Burnham said in a speech outside 10 Downing Street that he would drive forward “the biggest changes in 40 years,” and establish “a new political model and a new economic model.” He believes the new government will strengthen cross-party and local cooperation by devolving more power from the central government to local areas.

Starmer stepped down as prime minister earlier that day. Shortly afterward, Buckingham Palace authorized Labour’s newly appointed party leader, Burnham, to form a new government under King Charles III, and he officially took office as prime minister. (Xinhua)