Andy Burnham has taken office as the UK's new Prime Minister

Andy Burnham officially took office as Britain's new Prime Minister on Monday after meeting King Charles III at Buckingham Palace.

Standing outside Number 10 Downing Street, he vowed to build a new economy, create a new political model, and deliver a 10-year plan for Britain.

He promised immediate help with cost-of-living pressures, pledged to re-industrialise the country, and committed to ending rough sleeping — the extreme form of homelessness where people live outdoors or in places not built for human habitation.

Context

Nicknamed the "King of the North," the former Greater Manchester mayor had only returned to parliament four weeks prior.

Labour parachuted him into the role, viewing him as their best chance to rein in the hard-right Reform UK party led by Nigel
Farage, which is growing in popularity.

His swift "coronation" took place without a leadership contest, driven by Labour's massive parliamentary majority.

Challenges Ahead

Burnham inherits a sluggish national economy alongside high government borrowing costs and a ballooning welfare bill.

The country is simultaneously grappling with irregular migrants arriving in small boats, which has driven growing support for Reform UK.

Additionally, unpredictable energy prices caused by the US-Iran war and volatile relations with Washington present further challenges.

Starmer’s Resignation

Keir Starmer had previously led Labour to a landslide election victory in July 2024 following 14 years of Conservative rule.

However, Starmer's two years in office quickly became characterized by widespread scandals, missteps, and policy U-turns.

As a result, Labour MPs ditched Starmer last month in favor of Burnham, forcing Starmer to resign from Downing Street.

Appointments

Immediately stamping his authority, Burnham purged key Starmer loyalists from the cabinet, including Rachel Reeves and David Lammy.

He appointed former defence secretary John Healey as finance minister and named Ed Miliband as foreign minister.

Wes Streeting was chosen as the new defence minister, while left-wing figurehead Angela Rayner returned to government.