Andy Burnham officially stepped into his role as the new British Prime Minister on Monday morning, promising substantial decentralization of power from London. His administration faces the daunting challenges of economic trouble, political instability, and the possibility of tense relations with the United States.
“We’re committed to transforming politics into something collaborative, focused on solving issues rather than scoring points,” Burnham declared as he addressed the nation from 10 Downing Street. “Our goal is to empower every area code across the country with more authority so that local communities can take decisive action.”
“In taking this action, we aim to forge a new economy,” Burnham continued, “where essential services are brought back under robust public control, ensuring they’re affordable once more—forging a reindustrialized Britain that supports its industries through strategic public procurement.”
On July 20, 2026, in London, Andy Burnham gave his first address as the UK’s new Prime Minister. The Makerfield MP has become the 59th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, taking over from Sir Keir Starmer, who stepped down as Labour Party leader and Prime Minister in June. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Before delivering his inaugural address, the 56-year-old Burnham met with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace in London. There, the King formally invited Burnham to form a new government, which he graciously accepted, setting the stage for his leadership.
“I have just come from Buckingham Palace, where I have accepted His Majesty the King’s invitation to form a government,” Burnham’s brief introduction began. “{And in doing so, I am acutely conscious that I am the sixth person in the last 10 years to walk up this street: The seventh Prime Minister since 2016, making this a moment for reflection and new resolution.
“It requires my generation of politicians to raise our game and rise to the new challenge. Britain needs to show the world that we can regain our stability once again, and that is our challenge to make politics work, to make it work better,” he said. “I know people at home are fed up with politics. I hear you and I want to be honest with you: We have not been good enough and we need to be better. We will be.”
Burnham called for sweeping political and economic changes, stating that “Britain took some wrong turns” in the 1980s.
“We will make this moment a circuit breaker for Britain, bringing forward the biggest changes in the last 40 years,” he said. “A new political model and a new economic model.”
New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is welcomed by King Charles III during an audience at Buckingham Palace in London on Monday, July 20, 2026. Burnham was invited to become prime minister and form a new government. (PA Wire/PA Images)
Outgoing Keir Starmer officially submitted his resignation and passed “the baton” in remarks outside 10 Downing Street.
“As I now pass the baton to Andy Burnham, I wish him every success,” Starmer said. “He has my full support.
“For all the focus on individuals, politics will always be a team sport and the changes we have delivered for our country and our party belong to everyone who has fought for them. I thank them again today, and I thank the British people for the opportunity to serve.
“I go with good grace, I go with a smile, and I go proud of everything that we have achieved.”
His relationship with Washington could provide an early foreign-policy test. Burnham has repeatedly criticized Trump, comparing the instability surrounding the president’s return to office with the turmoil under former British Prime Minister Liz Truss and warning against importing what he called America’s polarized political culture.
He has maintained the U.S.-U.K. relationship remains important, though, pledging continuity on NATO, Britain’s nuclear deterrent and support for Ukraine.
Trump previously dismissed Burnham as the former “mayor of a town” and said he had heard the incoming British leader was “extremely liberal.” Reform UK has also challenged Burnham’s mandate, arguing that he should call a general election after reaching Downing Street without facing either a competitive Labour leadership contest or a nationwide vote.
Outgoing Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer bid farewell to office Monday morning outside 10 Downing Street: ‘As I now pass the baton to Andy Burnham, I wish him every success: He has my full support.’ (Carl Court/Getty Images)
Burnham succeeds Starmer after becoming Labour leader unopposed Friday. He enters office without a new national vote under Britain’s parliamentary system, which allows the governing party to change leaders midterm. The next general election is not required until 2029, though Burnham could call one earlier.
At the center of his agenda is what he calls “Manchesterism” — an effort to give cities and regions greater authority over transportation, housing, infrastructure and economic development. He has paired that approach with what he describes as “business-friendly socialism,” combining greater public control of essential services with cooperation between government and private industry.
Burnham’s arrival at Downing Street caps a decade-long political comeback. After losing his second Labour leadership contest in 2015, Burnham left national politics and built a new power base in Greater Manchester, where nine years as mayor earned him the nickname “King of the North” and a reputation as an effective communicator willing to challenge the government in London.
“I will work to build a new politics; the country is crying out for it,” he said Friday. “People are looking for us to deliver, and we will.”