Andy Burnham to become UK prime minister after Keir Starmer resigns
Select a version of the text written from a presumed ideological perspective. This is not the original text, but a hypothetical version — how someone with that viewpoint might have phrased it. Tapping the current version again will return to the original or select cleaned version.
Labour leader Andy Burnham will be sworn in as Britain’s prime minister on Monday following Keir Starmer’s resignation after two years in office.
Andy Burnham is set to take office as the United Kingdom’s prime minister on Monday, succeeding Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation as leader of the governing Labour Party. Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, was the sole candidate in the leadership contest, receiving nominations from 379 of the 403 Labour MPs in the House of Commons.
Starmer delivered a brief statement outside 10 Downing Street, saying his work was finished and describing Britain as “stronger and fairer” than when he assumed office two years ago. He then proceeded to Buckingham Palace to offer his resignation to King Charles III.
"My work is done," Starmer said.
The king will invite Burnham to form a government, a constitutional step that formally appoints the leader of the party with a parliamentary majority as prime minister. Burnham is expected to address the nation from Downing Street shortly after the audience with the monarch.
A Labour spokesperson indicated that Burnham will acknowledge the frequency of leadership changes in recent years and pledge to restore political stability. In his remarks after being elected Labour leader, Burnham said he intends to make politics “less toxic,” improve living standards and “bring back the hope” the country needs.
Analysts note that the new prime minister’s ability to deliver on these promises will depend on generating economic growth, a factor highlighted by political commentator Joshi Herrmann. Attention will also turn to Burnham’s upcoming cabinet appointments, particularly for the Treasury, foreign affairs and home affairs portfolios.
Starmer, who became Labour leader in 2020 and led the party to a landslide victory in 2024, defended his government’s record in his final Prime Minister’s Questions, citing stronger worker protections, reduced child poverty, increased defence spending and support for Ukraine.
"I am proud to leave this country in a better shape than I found it," Starmer said.