Andy Burnham after being elected Labour leader: I have a plan to restore hope and deliver results

In his first speech after being elected the new leader of the Labour Party, Andy Burnham promised to work to restore hope to British citizens and meet their expectations with concrete results.

Speaking before his supporters, Burnham acknowledged that he had not always acted in the right way throughout his journey and apologised for the times when he had failed.

“But I have always given everything of myself,” he said, stressing that past experiences had helped him listen more, learn and, as a result, become better.

“I know what I believe in and what I want to do. I have a plan,” Burnham declared.

According to him, one of the goals of the new leadership will be to restore people’s trust and hope, elements he said they have lacked.

“I believe in all of you and I am convinced that we can do it,” Burnham said, drawing applause and cheers from those present.

He also announced that he would seek to transfer a greater share of power from the central institutions in Westminster and Whitehall to local communities.

Burnham argued that citizens should have greater control over the basic issues of their lives so that services can be delivered better and made more affordable.

The new Labour leader declared his support for business and promised a commitment to greater powers at local level, reindustrialisation and improving education.

“People expect us to deliver results, and we will deliver them,” he concluded.