Andy Burnham has officially become the Prime Minister of Great Britain. At a ceremony at Buckingham Palace, King Charles III entrusted him with forming a government, completing the transfer of power following the resignation of Keir Starmer in June 2026.
The transition was swift and ceremonial. Starmer, who held the post for less than two years, made a statement outside his Downing Street residence, declaring his work complete. He then proceeded to Buckingham Palace, where he formally tendered his resignation to the King. Shortly thereafter, the King received Burnham and invited him to lead the government.
Burnham's appointment occurred without a general election – the Labour Party maintained its parliamentary majority following victories in the 2024 elections, allowing the new party leader to automatically assume the role of Prime Minister. Burnham was elected leader of the Labour Party on July 17, 2026, unopposed, receiving the support of 369 out of 403 Labour MPs.
The new Prime Minister headed to 10 Downing Street to address the nation. In his speech, Burnham pledged to focus on house building and devolving power to local areas. These priorities reflect his long-standing emphasis on regional development – his success in governing Greater Manchester has earned him the nickname 'King of the North'.
Burnham's appointment has ended a period of unprecedented instability in the office of Prime Minister. Over the past decade, seven politicians have held the position: David Cameron (2010–2016), Theresa May (2016–2019), Boris Johnson (2019–2022), Liz Truss (2022, 49 days), Rishi Sunak (2022–2024), Keir Starmer (2024–2026), and now Andy Burnham. The rapid turnover of Prime Ministers reflects a deep political crisis, triggered by the disastrous local elections for Labour in May 2026, when the party lost nearly 1,500 council seats.
Starmer, in his farewell address, thanked his family and colleagues, stating that he leaves the country in a stronger position than two years prior and expressed his full support for his successor. Starmer's resignation was preceded by the departures of several key ministers, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who had lost confidence in his leadership.
Burnham, a 56-year-old politician with extensive experience – he served in Gordon Brown's government and led Greater Manchester for nine years – will face numerous challenges. He must form a cabinet amidst economic difficulties and the rising popularity of Nigel Farage's right-wing populist Reform UK party, which aims to become the country's most influential political force.
The coming days will show whether the new leader can stabilize the situation and restore public trust in the government.
