𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

He went on to urge Mr Burnham, who promised to win over voters who are “fed up with politics” in his first speech as leader, to give “new impetus to the partnership between the United Kingdom and the European Union”. Mr Burnham has previously said he would like to see Brexit overturned “in his lifetime” but more recently pledged not to “re-run” old arguments about the 2016 referendum.

Former EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, who was ousted from his role on Mr Burnham’s first day in Number 10, also rubbished the prospect of re-entry into the bloc as an “unrealistic” mirage in a speech last month.

While Sir Keir’s “EU reset” was billed by critics as a “Brexit betrayal”, uncertainty over Mr Burnham’s approach to relations with Brussels cast doubt on a planned UK-EU summit due to take place on July 22 earlier this month.

However, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen also said she had a “very good first discussion” with the new Prime Minister, adding that they “are both committed to bringing the EU and the UK closer and closer”.

He ousted a number of major Labour figures from Cabinet, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who he replaced with former Defence Secretary John Healey.

Mr Macron hasn’t been the only world leader to congratulate Mr Burnham on his new position, with the Prime Minister taking calls from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US leader Donald Trump shortly after entering Number 10.

He assured Mr Zelensky that the UK’s support for Ukraine will remain “steadfast” under his premiership and invited him to visit “at the earliest opportunity”, a Downing Street spokesperson said.

Mr Burnham also spoke to Mr Trump about the World Cup, Manchester and the situation in the Middle East in a wide ranging conversation, the spokesperson added.