Burnham began his speech by paying tribute to his predecessor Keir Starmer, who, according to him, has led Labour from "its worst defeat to its best victory."
"I am ready, ready to lead the party and build on the foundation that Keir Starmer has laid," Andy Burnham said, according to the BBC.
He said that Britain made a series of missteps in the 1980s as “political power was centralised and economic power was privatised.” Specifically, he mentioned that Britain gave up control over housing, energy and transport, which drove up costs for ordinary Britons.
Today's politicians must, according to Burnham, admit that they have failed to challenge a political culture and economic model that "simply doesn't work well enough for ordinary people."
Change starts with honesty, he says.
The new Labour leader says he has not yet decided who will be part of his government, but promises that it will “reflect votes from across the party.”
Burnham says he loves every part of Britain and promises that the country's power apparatus will be decentralised.
In his speech, which ends with a standing ovation from the assembled party members, he promises to "bring back hope" as Labour's new leader.
I believe in all of you and I am convinced that we can do it.
