LONDON, July 21, 2026 — Andy Burnham has become prime minister of the United Kingdom after King Charles III formally invited the Labour leader to form a government at Buckingham Palace.
Burnham succeeds Keir Starmer, who resigned after serving just over two years in office. The former mayor of Greater Manchester becomes Britain’s seventh prime minister in a decade, reflecting a prolonged period of political turnover since the Brexit referendum.
In his first address from Downing Street, Burnham pledged to ease cost-of-living pressures and pursue a long-term programme focused on economic renewal, housing, education, social care and mental-health services. He also promised to decentralize political power and provide greater stability after years of frequent leadership changes.
One of Burnham’s first major appointments was John Healey as finance minister. Healey will be responsible for advancing the government’s investment plans while managing limited fiscal flexibility, elevated borrowing costs and wider geopolitical uncertainty.
Burnham’s policy direction will be closely watched by businesses and financial markets, particularly for possible changes involving taxation, public spending, energy policy and the regulation of utility companies.
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