Andy Burnham boasts man-of-the people vibes, but behind the casual exterior lies ruthless ambition and political reinvention that has helped propel him to become the United Kingdom's next prime minister.The 56-year-old was appointed leader of the ruling Labour party on Friday at the third time of trying, and will replace Keir Starmer in 10 Downing Street on Monday.
Ditching his signature T-shirt and casual jacket for a suit and tie, the ex-Greater Manchester mayor vowed in his acceptance speech to take "a problem-solving rather than a point-scoring approach" to government.
"Let's have the courage to fix the big things that politics has neglected, like social care, and have the conviction to go out there together and argue for our plans," he said.
From the stage, Burnham danced to Manchester rock band New Order, in a nod to his adopted political home in northwest England.
During a successful nine-year stint as mayor, Burnham transformed himself from former government minister to political outsider.
