New Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s pledge to deliver a circuit break to the usual way of doing politics in this country is to be lauded. Regions like Yorkshire have long been frustrated by the fact that the political system is working against them.

This sows distrust in politics. A more recent phenomenon that is also leaving people fed up with politics is the constant chopping and changing of Prime Ministers. Burnham has become the seventh Prime Minister to walk through the doors of 10 Downing Street over the past decade. Burnham was right to acknowledge this fact during his first speech as PM.

So far, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester has outlined his broad ambitions for government. He once again promised to take power out of Westminster and give the public greater control over “life’s essentials”.

However, there is still a lack of clarity as to what his plan will look like. How he will fund the numerous promises that he has made while sticking to fiscal rules. Instead, Burnham said he would set out a ten-year plan later this year.

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham outside 10 Downing Street. PIC: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

placeholder image — New Prime Minister Andy Burnham outside 10 Downing Street. PIC: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

The problem for Burnham is that he may not get 10 years with a restive electorate wanting to see improvements in the here and now. It will be interesting to see what the new PM is able to conjure when he announces measures to address the cost-of-living squeeze today.

As much as he may want to keep the focus on domestic issues, there’s no escaping the fact that Burnham must now confront the global challenges that Britain also faces.

US President Donald Trump's comments about new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea is a reminder that he will now inhabit a different world from the Greater Manchester mayoralty.

Indeed, Burnham has said he will “be there for” Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky.