Andy Burnham Officially Appointed UK Prime Minister by King Charles

Andy Burnham has officially become the United Kingdom’s 59th Prime Minister after being invited by King Charles III to form a new government at Buckingham Palace.

The Labour leader succeeds Sir Keir Starmer, who formally resigned earlier in the day following two years in office after leading the party to victory in the 2024 general election.

Following his audience with the King, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Burnham had accepted the monarch’s invitation to form an administration and was appointed Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury.

Burnham is expected to return to Downing Street to begin assembling his Cabinet and outline his government’s immediate priorities as it prepares to tackle a range of economic and political challenges.

In his first address outside No. 10, the new prime minister is expected to promise greater stability after a decade of political turbulence that has seen the UK appoint seven prime ministers since 2016.

He is also expected to unveil the framework of what he describes as a 10-year plan to address long-term structural issues affecting the country, while stressing that the strategy is designed to deliver lasting reform rather than reflect how long he intends to remain in office.

Among his first pledges will be a commitment to give households “more breathing room” amid the continuing cost-of-living pressures facing millions of families.

Burnham is also expected to call for a renewed sense of responsibility in politics, saying he wants to rebuild public confidence in government after years of frequent leadership changes and political instability.

The new prime minister has sought to reassure voters over taxation, indicating that his government will focus on protecting workers and addressing concerns surrounding the income tax personal allowance while pursuing policies aimed at supporting economic growth.

Earlier, Sir Keir Starmer delivered his farewell remarks outside Downing Street, saying his government had strengthened the country and that it was now time to “close the book” on his premiership.

Burnham now assumes office at a pivotal moment, with his government expected to confront major issues including the cost-of-living crisis, economic growth, public services, energy policy and wider constitutional reform in the months ahead.