Andy Burnham: UK’s latest PM | Infographics
Andy Burnham has been confirmed as the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom following the resignation of Keir Starmer. Burnham, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester, secured the leadership of the Labour Party unopposed and will formally assume office after meeting King Charles III.
Why it matters
This marks a significant leadership transition in the UK, representing the seventh prime minister in a decade during a period of ongoing economic and geopolitical challenges.
Veteran Labour politician and former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is set to become the United Kingdom’s next Prime Minister on Monday (July 20, 2026), formally succeeding Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation last month.
Burnham was the only candidate to secure enough nominations from Labour lawmakers to contest the party leadership, effectively guaranteeing his election. As Labour commands a majority in Parliament, its leader automatically becomes the U.K. prime minister.
Burnham won the backing of 349 of Labour’s 401 MPs and was elected party leader at a special Labour conference on Friday (July 17, 2026). He will formally assume office on Monday after meeting King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, where he will be invited to form a government. Until then, Starmer remains caretaker prime minister.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in