Keir Starmer resigns, Andy Burnham to become U.K. prime minister
Andy Burnham has been sworn in as the UK's seventh prime minister in a decade after Keir Starmer resigned. Starmer's departure follows a period of declining approval ratings and internal party pressure.
Why it matters
The frequent turnover of UK leadership reflects ongoing political instability and economic challenges following the Brexit vote.
LONDON — Keir Starmer is out, Andy Burnham is in.
On Monday, outgoing Prime Minister Starmer traveled to Buckingham Palace to tender his resignation to King Charles III. Almost immediately after, his successor Andy Burnham made the same trip, separately, and was invited by the King to form a new government.
Moving trucks maneuvered outside the prime minister's residence at 10 Downing Street over the weekend.
Burnham becomes the U.K.'s seventh prime minister in a decade, since Britons voted in June 2016 to leave the European Union. That decision ultimately shrank the British economy, triggered anger at the governing class, and contributed to a revolving door of prime ministers .
Starmer delivered his final speech outside 10 Downing Street on Monday before heading to Buckingham Palace to formally resign as prime minister, declaring: "My work is done."
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