Andy Burnham has officially become the United Kingdom’s new Prime Minister after being invited by King Charles III to form a government at Buckingham Palace, following the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer.
The carefully planned handover of power saw Starmer leave Downing Street for the final time before Burnham travelled to Buckingham Palace, where he accepted the King’s invitation to become Prime Minister. Hours later, he arrived at Number 10 and delivered his first speech to the nation, promising to tackle the cost of living, end rough sleeping and give more power to local communities.
Starmer’s Final Hours as Prime Minister
The day began with Sir Keir Starmer making his final speech outside Downing Street before travelling to Buckingham Palace to formally resign.
Reflecting on his time in office, Starmer said he had rebuilt the Labour Party after its heavy defeat in 2019 and led it to victory at the 2024 General Election.
“My work is done,” he said.
He pointed to what he believed were the biggest achievements of his government, including reducing child poverty, cutting immigration, strengthening defence and improving Britain’s reputation overseas.
He also highlighted the UK’s support for Ukraine, saying Britain had stood firmly alongside President Volodymyr Zelenskyy throughout the war.
As he finished his speech, Starmer wished Andy Burnham “every success” before thanking Downing Street staff and his wife, Victoria.
“I go with good grace, I go with a smile and I go proud of everything we have achieved,” he said.
Supporters and staff applauded as he left Downing Street for the last time.
Starmer then travelled to Buckingham Palace, where he met King Charles III and formally resigned after serving just over two years as Prime Minister.
For a short time, the UK officially had no Prime Minister until Burnham was invited to form a new government.
Burnham Takes Office
Shortly after midday, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Andy Burnham had accepted the King’s invitation to become Prime Minister.
Burnham then travelled to Downing Street with his wife, Marie-France van Heel, where they were welcomed by cheering supporters and applauding staff.
Before entering Number 10, Burnham stopped to greet members of the public, shaking hands and thanking supporters who had gathered outside.
“We Need to Be Better”
In his first speech as Prime Minister, Burnham admitted that many people had lost faith in politics.
“We have not been good enough and we need to be better,” he said.
He promised to lead a government that focused more on solving problems than political arguments.
Ending Rough Sleeping
Burnham also said he wanted to build
“a new national sense of unity”
To restore hope across the country. Ending Rough Sleeping
One of Burnham’s biggest announcements was that his first instruction as Prime Minister would be to begin work to end rough sleeping.
The pledge received one of the loudest cheers from supporters gathered outside Number 10.
The issue has been one of Burnham’s main priorities since his time as Mayor of Greater Manchester, where he made tackling homelessness a major focus.
Cost of Living Support
Burnham also announced that the government would begin introducing measures to help with the cost of living from tomorrow.
He said families needed “some breathing space” and promised the government would explain how the new support would be paid for.
More details are expected to be announced over the coming days.
A Long-Term Plan
Looking beyond the immediate challenges, Burnham said he would publish a 10-year plan for Britain later this year.
His plans are expected to include:
- Helping more young people into work.
- Expanding mental health support.
- Building more council homes.
- Reforming the welfare system.
- Keeping to the government’s fiscal rules.
- Maintaining defence spending commitments.
Giving More Power to Local Communities
Burnham also promised to move decision-making away from Westminster.
“We will take power out of here and carry it into every postcode in the land,” he said.
The new Prime Minister argued that local areas should have greater control over transport, housing and economic development, drawing on his experience as Mayor of Greater Manchester.
No General Election
Speaking before officially becoming Prime Minister, Burnham ruled out calling an immediate general election.
He said Britain’s parliamentary system allows a Prime Minister to govern as long as they have the support of a majority of MPs.
Burnham also confirmed he would continue delivering Labour’s 2024 election manifesto.
Support for Ukraine Continues
Foreign policy was one of Burnham’s first priorities.
He confirmed his first phone calls as Prime Minister would be with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump.
Burnham said there would be “no change” in Britain’s support for Ukraine.
“I will be with him 100%, as Keir Starmer has been,” he said.
President Zelenskyy later congratulated Burnham and said Ukraine looked forward to working with the new government.
Congratulations also came from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
One of the First Jobs Behind Closed Doors
One of Burnham’s first responsibilities after entering Downing Street was writing the UK’s Letters of Last Resort.
Every new Prime Minister writes four handwritten letters containing instructions for the commanders of Britain’s nuclear submarines in the event that the government is destroyed in a nuclear attack.
The letters, placed aboard each of the Royal Navy’s ballistic missile submarines, contain instructions on what action should be taken if the Prime Minister and government have been wiped out.
Burnham must choose one of four broad options:
- Retaliate with Britain’s nuclear weapons
- Order no retaliation
- Place the submarine under allied command
- Leave the decision to the submarine commander
The letters remain secret and are destroyed without being opened when a new Prime Minister takes office.
Government Changes Begin
With the change of Prime Minister, also comes a change of the cabinet. Later this afternoon the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, is expected to begin announcing his cabinet. There has been weeks of speculation around Mr Burnham’s cabinet and now we will finally see him announce who will take up the important roles in His Majesty’s Cabinet.
Looking Ahead
Burnham admitted that becoming Prime Minister was a huge responsibility.
“If you weren’t nervous, you wouldn’t be human,” he said before taking office.
However, he said his years in politics, especially as Mayor of Greater Manchester, had prepared him for the role.
Ending his first speech, Burnham called on the country to work together.
“I will give this my all,” he said.
“Let us make this the moment when Britain starts to believe again. The moment we bring back hope.”
The coming days will give a clearer picture of how Burnham plans to turn those promises into action, beginning with the first cost of living measures expected to be announced tomorrow.