Andy Burnham declares 'this is Labour's last chance' as he issues stern warning to own party over Reform surge

Andy Burnham declared this is Labour's "last chance" as he made his first speech as the party leader where he issued a warning to members over Reform.

The Makerfield MP was confirmed today after a vote among party figures and will enter Downing Street on Monday as the eighth Labour leader to become Prime Minister.

Shabana Mahmood, chair of the National Executive Committee, confirmed the former Greater Manchester Mayor was elected after receiving 379 MP nominations.

Mr Burnham said: "I will work relentlessly to build a culture of one Labour team, because change starts with us. We won’t beat Britain’s new Right if we are consumed by in-fighting and pulling in different directions."

Mr Burnham said it was "a proud moment" but added he was "ready to lead."

He said he was going to build on "the foundation laid by one person...today we thank Keir for the service to our country."

The former Greater Manchester Mayor continued: "We are united and we put the power that comes from that unity at the service of people and places who have been waiting too long for politics to let them hope again.

"That’s what we’re going to do, everybody. We’re going to give them hope back."

He continued: "Four decades of the neoliberalism that begun in the 1980s have not been kind to the places that built our party, nor to the communities across the UK, nor to the communities across the UK in rural and coastal areas.

"So we pledge today to them to be better. And as I accept the honour of leading this party forward, I will tell you about five things I will do to make us so, to make us better."

More to follow...