DUP leader urges Andy Burnham to break from Starmer's 'failed agenda'

The DUP says the new leader of the Labour Party must make a decisive break from the “failed agenda of the Starmer years”.

Andy Burnham was elected uncontested to lead his party on Friday, and will be confirmed as the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on Monday.

placeholder image — Newly confirmed Labour Party leader Andy Burnham has a selfie taken as he leaves after speaking with local stakeholders and party supporters about his plan to deliver good growth in every postcode across the country, during a visit to Gravesend Town Pier in Kent. The former Greater Manchester mayor, who returned to Westminster last month as Makerfield MP, will take over as prime minister and enter No 10 on Monday. Picture date: Friday July 17, 2026.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson says the new Prime Minister must move away from Sir Keir Starmer’s policies – as well as making an “unambiguous” commitment to Northern Ireland’s place in the Union.

The East Belfast MP said: “Andy Burnham inherits a Labour Party that has squandered public trust, weakened confidence in government and too often put ideology ahead of common sense. If he wants to persuade people that his leadership represents more than a change of face, he must deliver a change of direction.

“That begins by breaking decisively with the failed agenda of the Starmer years. The British people have paid the price through higher taxes, weaker economic growth, rising welfare dependency and a government that has too often appeared disconnected from the concerns of ordinary working families.

“For Northern Ireland, that means an unambiguous commitment to our place within the United Kingdom. It means securing our borders, restoring Northern Ireland’s full and unfettered place within the UK internal market, and ensuring every citizen and every business is treated equally wherever they live in our country.

“It also means rewarding work rather than expanding dependency, easing the tax burden on families and businesses instead of punishing aspiration, and creating the conditions for enterprise, investment and job creation. Prosperity is built by backing those who create wealth, not by taxing them more heavily.

“At a time of growing global instability, the UK must also rebuild its military strength. Defence spending should rise without delay, our Armed Forces must be properly equipped, and our defence industries recognised as vital to both our national security and our economic resilience. Furthermore, our veterans must be treated with respect, which was sadly lacking from Starmer’s premiership in relation to the legacy of our own past in Northern Ireland”.