By Desmond Nleya
LONDON – Andy Burnham officially became the United Kingdom’s new prime minister on Monday after Keir Starmer formally resigned and tendered his resignation to King Charles III at Buckingham Palace.
Burnham, who recently succeeded Starmer as leader of the governing Labour Party, was invited by the King to form a new government before returning to 10 Downing Street to deliver his first address as Britain’s new leader.
In his inaugural speech, Burnham acknowledged growing public frustration with politics and pledged to restore trust in government.
“I want to be honest with you: we have not been good enough and we need to be better. We will be,” Burnham said, promising a fresh approach to leadership and governance.
Burnham becomes Britain’s seventh prime minister in the decade since the 2016 Brexit referendum, a period marked by political instability and frequent changes in leadership.
Starmer stepped down after serving as prime minister for two years, describing his tenure as “the privilege of my life.” In his farewell address outside Downing Street, he said he was leaving office proud of his government’s achievements and confident the country was stronger and fairer than when he took office.
Labour’s internal leadership transition means Burnham assumes office without a general election, with the next national vote expected in about three years.
A former cabinet minister and long-serving Member of Parliament, Burnham built his reputation as Mayor of Greater Manchester, where he championed regional investment and greater local powers. He has pledged to apply the same approach nationwide.
Among his first priorities, Burnham promised immediate measures to ease the cost-of-living crisis, tackle homelessness, and launch what he described as “the biggest changes in the last 40 years.” He said his first instruction as prime minister would be to begin ending rough sleeping across the country, with a broader 10-year national plan to be unveiled later this year.
International leaders, including those from Germany and Ireland, have already congratulated Burnham on taking office and expressed their willingness to work closely with his new government.
Burnham now inherits major challenges, including slowing economic growth, rising living costs and managing Britain’s relationship with key international partners, particularly the United States.
