Andy Burnham Becomes UK's 59th Prime Minister After Unopposed Labour Leadership Win

Andy Burnham has become the UK's 59th prime minister after winning the Labour leadership unopposed, following Keir Starmer's resignation. He is also the UK’s 7th PM in 10 years. Burnham, 56, formally accepted an invitation from King Charles III to form a government after Starmer tendered his resignation at Buckingham Palace. He became prime minister the moment he accepted the King's invitation, in a ceremony traditionally known as "kissing hands." The former Greater Manchester mayor, nicknamed the "King of the North," will not face MPs until September when Parliament returns from its six-week recess, unless he decides to recall the Commons earlier.

Summer 'listening tour'

Burnham will undertake a "listening tour" of the UK in August while Parliament is in recess. Among the areas understood to be on his itinerary is Port Talbot in south Wales, which saw the closure of its last steel-making blast furnace in September 2024, resulting in 2,800 job losses as it transitions to greener steel-making. Several Welsh Labour MPs told BBC Wales that they understand Burnham intends to visit the town, once home to the UK's largest steelworks.

Immediate duties

Once appointed, Burnham will immediately begin naming his Cabinet, including senior ministers such as the chancellor, foreign secretary and home secretary. His government assumes office immediately, with no inauguration or parliamentary confirmation vote required. Attention is expected to turn quickly to his domestic agenda, with media reports suggesting one of his first major decisions could be to place Thames Water into a Special Administration Regime, bringing the company under temporary public control while it is restructured.

Starmer's resignation

Starmer announced on June 22 that he would step down after less than two years in office, following heavy Labour losses in local elections and political controversies including his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US despite his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. At his final Prime Minister's Questions, Starmer defended his record, citing stronger protections for working people, a reduction in child poverty, a law to stop official cover-ups after tragedies, and higher defence spending. "I am proud to leave this country in a better shape than I found it," he said. Under party rules, candidates must secure the backing of at least one-fifth of Labour MPs to enter the race. Burnham met that threshold and, with no other candidates standing, was elected unopposed.

'A new path' for Britain

In his first speech as Labour leader, Burnham promised to chart "a new path" for Britain, focusing on making life more affordable and reducing regional inequalities. "This change today is the most significant moment in our politics for 40 years. It will take us to a country where life is more affordable and all people and places are lifted from where they are now." He pledged to govern for every part of the UK. "I will be a leader for the North, the South, the East and the West, for Scotland, Wales and for Northern Ireland." The next general election does not have to be held until 2029, five years after Labour won the 2024 election.