Andy Burnham was on Monday formally appointed as the United Kingdom’s new prime minister after an audience with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, marking the end of Keir Starmer’s turbulent tenure at the top of British politics.
Starmer tendered his resignation to the monarch earlier in the day, paving the way for Burnham to be invited to form a government.
Hours later, the Labour leader arrived at 10 Downing Street, where he delivered his first speech as prime minister and began unveiling his cabinet.
Burnham becomes Britain’s fourth prime minister in less than four years and the sixth occupant of Downing Street in the last decade — a sign of the political volatility that has defined UK politics since Brexit.
The former Mayor of Greater Manchester only returned to Westminster last month after winning a parliamentary by-election, a move widely seen as the first step in his bid to replace Starmer.
He emerged as Labour leader unopposed after no other MP entered the contest, effectively clearing his path to Number 10.
His ascent comes amid growing frustration within Labour ranks over Starmer’s leadership.
Party insiders cited a string of policy U-turns and mounting controversies that eroded confidence among MPs and ministers, leaving Starmer politically isolated.
Before leaving Parliament in 2017, Burnham served as health secretary and held several senior cabinet roles under Gordon Brown. His eight years as Mayor of Greater Manchester boosted his national profile, positioning him as one of Labour’s most recognisable and outspoken figures.
In his maiden address, Burnham pledged to “restore stability, rebuild trust, and put working people first” as he begins the task of steadying a government, and a country, in flux.
