Why isn’t Andy Burnham using a lectern in No 10 speech?

Andy Burnham has decided to deliver his first speech as prime minister without one conventional hallmark of a Downing Street address.

The former mayor of Manchester becomes the sixth politician in a decade to deliver a speech outside No 10 as a new prime minister - but is the first to do so without a lectern.

The podium has long been a staple of prime ministerial speeches, with different leaders often opting for their own personalised style of stand.

Journalists gathered on the street have grown used to the familiar routine prior to a prime minister delivering a major speech - indicated by the arrival of the ‘podium man’ who has become a niche national treasure in political circles.

But Mr Burnham may be keen for his decision to ditch convention to be seen as a signal he will be running Downing Street differently, acting as a physical manifestation of the “change” Labour has long promised.

The move also indicates that he hopes to maintain the same style of leadership and delivery he crafted as the mayor of Manchester, a role in which he was broadly very popular in.

The new prime minister promised to give people “breathing room” against the rising cost of living as he delivered his first speech in Downing Street in front of the world’s media on Monday.

He urged the country to be honest about the challenges it faces and call for “reflection and resolution”, and also said he is “acutely conscious” that the UK has had seven prime ministers in a little over 10 years, stressing the need for more stable and responsible politics and pledging to restore faith in government.

Monday caps a rapid transition for Mr Burnham, coming barely a month after he returned to Westminster following his victory in the Makerfield by-election.

After his speech, Mr Burnham is expected to name his cabinet.

He has been tight-lipped about his selections, but is believed to have been weighing up either Energy Secretary Ed Miliband or Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to be chancellor.

Without a full leadership contest, the new prime minister is also yet to set out much of his agenda for his premiership.

He has said he wants to devolve power away from Westminster as one of his key priorities, driving that agenda with a new “No 10 North” in Manchester, which he is expected to visit later in the week.

Prior to Mr Burnham’s speech, his predecessor Sir Keir Starmer said he wished Andy Burnham “every success” as he take over as prime minister in his final speech outside No 10.

He said: “As I now pass the baton to Andy Burnham, I wish him every success.

“He has my full support.”

Speaking on the steps of Number 10, the now former prime minister said it formed the basis of Britain’s support for Ukraine, and could also underpin changing the country for the better.

He said: “I want to thank once again my family, Vic and our children, my team, all the staff here and across the Labour Party, everyone at Number 10 and across the civil service, and everyone who has supported our efforts along the way.

“For all the focus on individuals, politics will always be a team sport, and the changes we’ve delivered for our country and our party belong to everyone who has fought for them.

“I thank them again today, and I thank the British people for the opportunity to serve.

“I go with good grace, I go with a smile, and I go proud of everything that we have achieved.”