King Charles meets ‘King of the North’ Andy Burnham, 7th UK premier in 10 years
Andy Burnham is set to become the UK's seventh prime minister in a decade, succeeding Keir Starmer. He faces significant challenges including a cost-of-living crisis, economic instability, and the rise of the Reform UK party.
Why it matters
The leadership change marks a period of significant political volatility in the UK, with the new PM tasked with addressing deep-seated economic and social issues.
Andy Burnham will on Monday become Britain’s seventh prime minister in a decade, with an in-tray overflowing with challenges that have trounced his predecessors and little time to make his mark.
The new leader takes over from the unpopular Keir Starmer just two years after the outgoing prime minister led Labour to power in a landslide election victory after 14 years of Conservative rule.
After being asked by King Charles III to form the next government, Burnham, 56, is due to make his first speech on Monday outside 10 Downing Street shortly after Starmer has said his farewells.
He will set out “priorities for restoring confidence in government and giving Britain more breathing room” amid the cost-of-living crisis, his team said.
Delivering growth and devolving power to regional communities are also expected to feature.
READ | UK Labour Party to crown ‘King of the North’ Andy Burnham as next PM
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