Business will be the judge on whether Andy Burnham can 'regain stability'

Andy Burnham has become the new leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on July 17, 2026, succeeding Sir Keir Starmer who resigned in June 2026. Burnham ran unopposed and secured overwhelming support from 379 Labour MPs and most affiliated trade unions. In this analysis, Alan Vallance, CEO of ICAEW, argues that businesses are watching Burnham's early signals closely. He calls for an immediate commitment to no new business taxes and regulatory simplification to restore confidence. ICAEW's Business Confidence Monitor shows sentiment declining into negative territory due to global uncertainty. While 40% of ICAEW members support the government's growth plans for towns, infrastructure, and skills, 57% say addressing the tax burden should be the top priority. Vallance concludes that if Burnham provides stability and certainty, businesses will support his growth agenda.