Summary

  • Labour Deputy Leader Lucy Powell is being grilled on this morning's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg

  • She says that Andy Burnham will "radically rewrite" the political and economic model for the country

  • Burnham will formally succeed Keir Starmer as prime minister tomorrow after becoming Labour leader on Friday

  • Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has also spoken to Kuenssberg, warning the former Greater Manchester mayor is "in for a rude awakening" in office

  1. 'Airy fairy' or 'bold agenda': Badenoch and Powell on Burnham's plans as PMpublished at 10:12 BST

    That's a wrap on this week's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg - the last one until September.

    Tomorrow sees a new era in Westminster, when Andy Burnham officially becomes the UK's 59th prime minister.

    Ahead of his arrival into No 10, Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell says Burnham has a "big, bold agenda" to "radically rewrite" the UK's current political and economic model.

    Asked about reports he will scrap plans for digital ID cards, Powell says while the scheme may not have cost a lot of money, it takes "attention away" from being "laser focused on the cost of living".

    Meanwhile, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch tells Kuenssberg Burnham is "man who was talking to the Labour Party, not the country" in his first speech as Labour leader.

    She describes the former Greater Manchester mayor as a "people pleaser" with "airy fairy" plans for government.

    If he comes to office unaware of what the country's priorities are, she says "he's going to be in for a rude awakening".

    We're now ending our live coverage.

  2. Burnham is 'people pleaser' with 'airy fairy' plans, says Badenochpublished at 09:52 BST

    Media caption,

    Watch: Badenoch says Burnham 'doesn't want scrutiny' and his plans are 'airy-fairy stuff'

    Kemi Badenoch has branded Andy Burnham a "people pleaser" and warned his plans for government are "airy fairy" ahead of him becoming prime minister on Monday.

    The Conservative leader accuses Burnham of not being aware of "what the country's priorities are".

    Badenoch emphasises that she likes Burnham, who she has met before, calling him a "nice guy" and a "people pleaser".

    But she says the job of prime minister is "not a popularity contest. It is making the lives of all of the people outside this building better. And he has not said what he's going to do. It's all airy-fairy stuff."

    "What the country needs right now is someone who can take tough decisions, who can face down the Labour MPs that don't want to do anything difficult. And that is what worries me," Badenoch adds.

  3. 'I'm not going to give Andy Burnham a blank cheque', says Badenochpublished at 09:47 BST

    Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch standing in front of a Union Jack flagImage source, PA

    We're now hearing from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.

    In a direct critique of Burnham's first speech as Labour leader, Badenoch accuses the former Manchester mayor of being "a man who was talking to the Labour Party, not to the country".

    "It was all Labour this, Labour that, their factions, their issues. I'm not sure that he is aware of what the country's priorities are and if he's become prime minister without that then I think he's going being for a rude awakening, to use his own words," she says.

    Despite Burnham's promises to end point-scoring in Westminster, Badenoch says: "I will score as many points as possible if it means the right thing for the country.

    "What I'm not going to do is give Andy Burnham a blank cheque."

  4. Digital IDs has taken 'attention away' from important issues - Powellpublished at 09:42 BST

    Lucy Powell wears a blue jacket and sits in front of a garden door as she is interviewed by Laura Kuennsberg

    A little while ago, Kuenssberg continued to question Powell and has moved on to reports that Burnham is going to drop the government's ambitions for national digital ID cards.

    When asked how much money will be saved by getting rid of the scheme, Powell says it may not have cost a lot but it takes the "attention away" from being "laser focused on the cost of living" and rewiring the political system in the country.

    Powell adds there are different calculations, including one figure from the Office for Budget Responsibility which says it "would cost £1.8bn" over the coming years.

    Kuenssberg also cites reports about whether Burnham will allow more drilling to take place in the North Sea.

    Powell responds by saying some of the reports are speculation and that Burnham will stick to the Labour manifesto and commit to clean cheap energy, adding he will take "a more pragmatic approach" to make sure that the UK has the right mix of resources.

    Kuenssberg moves on to Burnham's pledge to end factionalism in the Labour Party and says it does not bode well that there has been a lot of briefing against Ed Miliband.

    Powell says there has been "a lot of speculation" in the media that has been "really quite horrible" and adds that she is proud of how the Labour Party "have come together" during the transition period and come together behind Burnham.

  5. Burnham understands need for bolder measures, says Powellpublished at 09:24 BST

    Lucy Powell, a woman sitting in a conservatory, wearing a blue blazer, with a microphone attached to her blazer.

    We're now hearing from Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Lucy Powell.

    Laura Kuenssberg first asks Powell about Andy Burnham's promise that his premiership will deliver the biggest change in 40 years.

    Powell says Burnham is going to "radically rewrite" the political and economic model that's governed the country for the last 40 years, which she describes as a "big, bold agenda".

    She adds that Burnham is talking about an economy that "has not worked for ordinary people", and people don't feel that they have "agency over their every day lives" and the bills they have to pay.

    Powell says Burnham's plans are consistent with Labour's existing manifesto, but it is a "bolder and more ambitious" vision.

    Asked what "authentic Labour" means, Powell says it is about representing the interests of ordinary working people around the country and rebalancing the way the country is run.

    "We're for opportunity, we're for justice," she adds.

    Media caption,

    Burnham will stick to manifesto - Powell

  6. Ruthless plotter or dad dancer? Insiders reveal the real Andy Burnhampublished at 08:54 BST

    Laura Kuenssberg
    Presenter, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg

    Andy Burnham (C) stands in a room with his arms both raised as he's surrounded by people. He's wearing a dark blue suit and a white shirtImage source, Getty Images

    Who is Andy Burnham? There are plenty of labels to pick from.

    King of the north, the well-liked mayor of Greater Manchester. Ruthless plotter – the man who led a shadow revolt to oust the prime minister.

    Gig-goer. Everton fan and season ticket holder, who wants to try and sit in the stands even when he is running the country.

    Poetry lover. Experienced former cabinet minister. Cambridge graduate.

    Flip-flopper – a charge chucked at him by political critics.

    The 56-year-old is going to become the 59th prime minister on Monday.

    To understand who he is, I've spoken to more than 20 people who have worked with him over the last few decades – old friends and rivals, as well as current and former cabinet ministers.

    Burnham is unusual in politics because even colleagues who are furious that he ousted Keir Starmer say he is an affable and decent person.

    But does he have the experience and skills to pick Labour's morale up off the floor, and tackle the deep problems the country has?

    • You can read my full analysis here
  7. Widdecombe investigation, Starmer's farewell: What happened this week?published at 08:37 BST

    Keir Starmer leaving the House of Commons to rows of clapping from his colleagues after his last Prime Minister's Questions ever on WednesdayImage source, House of Commons
    Image caption,

    Keir Starmer leaving the House of Commons after his last Prime Minister's Questions ever on Wednesday

    The World Cup absorbed a lot of airtime this week, but as always, there was plenty going on in Westminster.

    The House of Commons bid farewell to Keir Starmer, and continued to mourn the loss of veteran politician Ann Widdecombe - here's a quick recap of what's happened.

    • School's out: The last Prime Minister's Questions before Parliament's summer recess was Starmer's last Commons face-off as PM. To tears from some of his allies, Starmer told MPs that this was the "end of my political journey" and that he was "proud of everything" he had achieved
    • Widdecombe killing "targeted": Having announced on Monday it was taking over the investigation into the killing of Ann Widdecombe, Counter Terrorism Policing announced on Thursday that the attack was "targeted"
    • Hillsborough Law approved by MPs: Long-delayed legislation was passed in the Commons, which will compel public authorities and officials to tell the truth and co-operate with official investigations and inquiries. It will now be sent to the House of Lords
  8. A new era in Westminster is on the horizon - againpublished at 08:30 BST

    Lucy Powell wears a patterned collared shirt and a black cardigan, her brown hair is cut short in a bob.Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

    On Friday, Andy Burnham became Labour leader - meaning that he will enter Downing Street on Monday as the UK's fifth prime minister since 2022.

    Burnham delivered a speech on his future plans and promised an end to in-fighting that could derail the party's chances in future elections.

    The former Greater Manchester mayor was met with a standing ovation from his fellow party members - 379 of whom nominated him to rise to the Labour's top job.

    This week's edition of Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg comes as Westminster enters yet another new era, ahead of Parliament's summer recess.

    Appearing on this week's show are Lucy Powell, deputy leader of the Labour Party and Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch.

    Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, broadcaster and former Conservative Party MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, and broadcaster Kate Garraway are on the panel today.

    You can watch live at the top of the page from 09:00 BST.