Andy Burnham appointed UK prime minister after King Charles' invitation
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.
Former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham was asked by King Charles III to form a government, becoming Britain’s seventh prime minister in ten years.
Andy Burnham, the long-standing mayor of Greater Manchester, was invited by King Charles III on Monday to form a new government, making him the United Kingdom’s seventh prime minister in a decade. Under the parliamentary system, a change in party leadership can bring a new prime minister without a general election.
In his first remarks outside Downing Street, Burnham said he was "acutely conscious" of the public perception of frequent leadership changes and described the moment as one for "reflection, and new resolution." He emphasized the need for stability and pledged to make politics work and improve public services.
"We have not been good enough, and we need to be better. We will be," Burnham said.
Burnham, who previously served in Labour cabinets and has advocated for devolving power and investment beyond London, announced plans to present a regional-focused policy agenda within days, aiming to address rising living costs.
He also noted the upcoming diplomatic challenge of managing relations with the United States, referencing past criticism of President Donald Trump.
Political analysts note that Burnham inherits a Labour Party facing pressure from both the right-leaning Reform UK party and the Green Party, and that his ability to sustain support will be closely watched.