Keir Starmer Says He Is Leaving "With A Smile" and "Good Grace" In Final Speech As PM
Burnham officially becomes Prime Minister after Starmer's resignation, inheriting economic challenges and pledging to restore political stability.
- On Monday, July 20, 2026, Andy Burnham officially took office as U.K. Prime Minister in London, succeeding Keir Starmer as the seventh prime minister since 2016.
- Starmer resigned last month following missteps and judgment errors, prompting Burnham to secure the leadership as the sole candidate with 379 of 403 Labour lawmakers' nominations.
- Following the traditional 'kissing hands' ceremony at Buckingham Palace, Burnham pledged to make politics "less toxic" and "improve living standards across the country," emphasizing he is "acutely aware" of recent leadership turnover.
- Burnham immediately reshuffled his Cabinet, appointing Doncaster MP Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary and Rotherham MP John Healey as Chancellor while dismissing David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, and Peter Kyle.
- Generating significant economic growth is essential to Burnham's success, as analysts warn the lack of growth is holding the country back; the Prime Minister must deliver a new political and economic model.
231 Articles
231 Articles
Andy Burnham sworn in as UK's latest PM
Britain's newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham waves outside 10 Downing Street with his wife Marie-France van Heel after taking office, in London. Photo: Reuters Andy Burnham has become Britain's seventh prime minister in a decade, pledging to reshape its politics to deliver a new economic model and revive a nation "fed up" with a revolving door of leaders.
Britain's new prime minister has moved into Downing Street with a promise to get Britain back on its feet after decades of decline. His agenda is domestic politics, but he will soon be absorbed in defining Britain's role in a difficult and complex geopolitical world.
Burnham's biggest announcement was about fighting the situation of homeless people: a plan that failed in Manchester, but which reveals the persistence of the worker who wants to be lashed with fresh air.
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