LONDON: Andy Burnham promised to bring hope to the British people and purpose to the country’s flailing Labor government when he was officially declared leader of the party on Friday, clearing his final hurdle of taking over as prime minister on July 20.The former mayor of Greater Manchester was the only contender in the centre-left party’s leadership contest to replace late Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Friday’s announcement was a foregone conclusion after Burnham secured the nomination of 379 out of 403 Labor MPs in the House of Commons.“We are going to give them back hope,” Burnham, 56, told MPs, party workers and trade union leaders in her first speech as leader. “It’s a proud moment for what you’ve given me and my family today, and an emotional one, but it’s a moment I’m ready for.”He outlined some of the priorities in Friday’s speech, promising to deliver “hope in every heart” and “good growth in every postcode” by transferring power from central government in London to local leaders in cities and regions. “We will take the power back from Westminster and Whitehall and give it where you live,” he told the audience. “More power over the essential things in life so you can make them work better.”Starmer will remain prime minister until Monday, when he will formally submit his resignation to King Charles III. After this the king will ask Burnham to form a government. Britain’s parliamentary democracy allows ruling parties to change leaders, and thus prime ministers, without the need for general elections. The next national election is not to be held before 2029. AP