Andy Burnham will pledge to be “unashamedly Labour” when he takes over as Labour Party leader from Sir Keir Starmer on Friday.
The newly elected Makerfield MP will be confirmed at a special conference in London at around midday, just days before he is set to become prime minister.
In a bold speech outlining his vision for the country, he will also promise to undo Margaret Thatcher’s economic legacy, warning that “Britain took a series of wrong turns in the 1980s” when “political power was centralised and economic power privatised”.
Mr Burnham was confirmed as Labour’s next leader this week after he secured the backing of 349 Labour MPs and trade unions linked to the party.
However, he will have to wait until Sir Keir formally recommends him to the King as his successor on Monday before he is coronated as prime minister.
Meanwhile, speculation is mounting over who Mr Burnham will choose to appoint to his Cabinet. Sources suggest Shabana Mahmood could be his pick for chancellor, but he has so far remained tight-lipped over his plans.
