LONDON, July 20 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Andy Burnham formed a new cabinet on Monday, appointing former Defense Secretary John Healey as Chancellor of the Exchequer, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.
Healey had resigned as defense secretary following disagreements over the previous government's defense spending plans. British media described his appointment as chancellor as an unexpected move.
Ed Miliband was appointed foreign secretary, while Shabana Mahmood remained home secretary. Louise Haigh was named first secretary of state, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and minister for the Cabinet Office. Yvette Cooper was appointed health secretary, while Pat McFadden remained as work and pensions secretary.
In his inaugural speech outside 10 Downing Street earlier in the day, Burnham pledged to deliver "the biggest changes in the last 40 years" and introduce "a new political model and a new economic model."
After Keir Starmer resigned as British prime minister on the same day, Burnham, the new leader of the ruling Labour Party, accepted King Charles III's invitation at Buckingham Palace to form a government and officially became prime minister. ■
