UK to Have New Prime Minister Today, Here's His Profile

Andy Burnham is poised to become the United Kingdom’s new prime minister, replacing Keir Starmer who resigned as Labour Party leader on Monday (20/7/2026). Burnham, 56, was elected unopposed as Labour leader, automatically making him the UK’s 59th prime minister and the seventh person to occupy 10 Downing Street in the last decade. Before returning to Westminster, Burnham spent nearly a decade as Mayor of Greater Manchester, where he earned the nickname ‘King of the North’ for his vocal defence of northern England, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, and his push to increase investment outside London. On Monday, Burnham is scheduled to meet King Charles III at Buckingham Palace. After the King accepts Starmer’s resignation, Burnham will be asked to form a new government. In the UK’s parliamentary system, a person officially becomes prime minister upon receiving the mandate from the monarch. Burnham will then proceed to the prime minister’s official residence at 10 Downing Street to deliver his first speech as head of government and immediately announce his cabinet lineup. Unlike the United States, which has a months-long transition period, a change of prime minister in the UK takes place very rapidly, with the entire transfer of power typically completed within hours. In his first speech as Labour leader, Burnham promised to bring a ‘new path’ for Britain, focusing on lowering the cost of living, equalising development across regions, and improving public welfare. ‘Today’s change is the most important political moment in 40 years. We will build a country where the cost of living is more affordable and all regions can grow together,’ he said. He also pledged to be a leader for all parts of the UK, including Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. One of the first policies Burnham is expected to pursue is placing water company Thames Water under special government supervision to accelerate the restructuring of the firm, which has drawn widespread criticism. Burnham inherits a number of major challenges, from slowing economic growth and high living costs to demands for more balanced regional development. Starmer’s resignation came after his government faced mounting political pressure in recent months, including controversy over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US and a heavy defeat for Labour in local elections. However, the change in leadership does not require a new general election because Labour still holds a majority of seats in the House of Commons. Under the UK’s parliamentary system, the new leader of the majority party automatically becomes prime minister, with the next general election scheduled for no later than 2029.