Andy Burnham has become the UK's fifth Prime Minister in four years, succeeding Keir Starmer after a brief meeting with King Charles. The former Mayor of Greater Manchester accepted the monarch's invitation to form a new government shortly after Sir Keir formally resigned. Starmer delivered a resignation speech outside Number 10 before offering his resignation to the King at Buckingham Palace.
Burnham's rapid ascent
Burnham's rise to the top job marks the culmination of a busy month since he won the Makerfield by-election on June 19. After nine years as Manchester's mayor, he has been introducing himself to Labour MPs, many of whom he had never met before. He became party leader at a special conference in London on Friday, facing no serious opposition.
The new PM has described the current Parliament as 'more fragmented' and 'unhappier' than the one he left in 2017. He has hinted at plans to address the cost of living crisis, telling the Sunday Times: 'It's all about helping people.' One of his first major decisions was scrapping the digital ID plans championed by Starmer's government, calling it a 'reset of priorities.'
Challenges ahead
Burnham faces a raft of serious challenges, including weak economic growth and the war in Iran on the verge of spiraling out of control. He must find funding for the Defence Investment Plan, tackle the NEET crisis highlighted by the Milburn Review, and reform social care. In his speech outside Number 10, he is expected to say he is 'acutely conscious' of being the fifth PM in four years, underlining the need for stability.
Burnham has argued for devolution as the best way to pull the UK out of its rut. Speaking at the People's History Museum in Manchester last month, he said he would set up an 'extended operation' of Downing Street in the city, dubbed 'No 10 North,' as a 'nerve centre for a rewired Britain' to redistribute power from Whitehall to regional leaders.
Uncertain future
If Burnham does not call a snap general election, he will have three years before the next one is due. With Labour trailing far behind Reform UK in the polls, he will need a remarkable resurrection to avoid the fate of his short-term predecessors.
