Andy Burnham officially took office as the United Kingdom’s prime minister on Monday after King Charles III invited him to form a new government following Keir Starmer’s resignation as Labour leader.
Burnham met the King at Buckingham Palace, where the traditional “kissing hands” ceremony formally marked the transfer of power. Buckingham Palace confirmed that the King asked Burnham to establish a new administration, a request he accepted, reports UNB from AP.
In his first address outside 10 Downing Street, Burnham acknowledged Britain’s frequent changes in leadership over the past decade, saying politicians “need to be better.”
He pledged to introduce a “circuit breaker” to reform what he described as a political system that had moved in the wrong direction since the 1980s. Burnham promised to restore stability, reduce political divisions, raise living standards and rebuild public confidence.
Earlier, Starmer delivered a brief farewell speech outside Downing Street before formally submitting his resignation to the King.
Removed from office by members of his own party, Starmer said Britain was “stronger and fairer” than when he became prime minister two years ago and highlighted his government’s achievements.
Burnham became Labour leader unopposed on Friday after receiving nominations from 379 of the party’s 403 MPs. He is expected to announce a reshuffled Cabinet in the coming days while continuing key policies introduced during Starmer’s tenure.
Burnham is the seventh UK prime minister since 2016, a period marked by significant political changes, including the leadership transitions that followed the Brexit referendum.
