United Kingdom: Andy Burnham forms his government and dismisses several Starmer loyalists

Officially appointed British Prime Minister on Monday, July 20, Andy Burnham formed his government by breaking with several figures from the Starmer era, while promising social measures as early as Tuesday to respond to the cost of living crisis.

At 56, the former mayor of Greater Manchester succeeds Keir Starmer, who was forced to resign after two years marked by controversies, local electoral defeats, and growing unpopularity within the Labour Party itself. Starmer announced his departure on June 22. On Monday, in a short address outside 10 Downing Street, he said he was "proud" of the work accomplished before formally submitting his resignation to King Charles III.

Burnham, meanwhile, received the keys to power after being overwhelmingly elected by Labour MPs on Friday. He becomes the seventh British Prime Minister since 2016. Outside Downing Street, without notes or a lectern, surrounded by his wife Marie-France van Heel, his children, and his mother, he promised "the most profound changes of the last forty years": to reindustrialize the country, build more social housing, and create an economy where essential services return to public control. Ending homelessness is among his stated priorities, following a visit to a homeless shelter.

The composition of the government, revealed as people arrived at 10 Downing Street throughout the afternoon and evening, marks a clear break with the previous team. John Healey, the former Defense Secretary who had left the Starmer government due to budget disagreements, takes over the Chancellorship from Rachel Reeves, who was dismissed. He assumes this portfolio in a difficult context: sluggish growth and high public debt. David Lammy, Justice Secretary and Starmer's Deputy Prime Minister, is also dismissed.

Ed Miliband, formerly the Energy Secretary, takes over as Foreign Secretary. Shabana Mahmood, known for her hardline stance on immigration, remains Home Secretary. Wes Streeting, the former Health Secretary who had once considered challenging Starmer for the party leadership, inherits the Defence portfolio, tasked with leading the ten-year investment plan to modernize the armed forces. Angela Rayner, a prominent figure on the left wing and Starmer's former deputy, returns to her post as Housing Secretary.

From the moment he took office, Burnham made numerous phone calls with foreign leaders. With Donald Trump, he discussed his commitment to the "defense and security" of the United Kingdom and its allies. The American president described the exchange as "a very good conversation" on his Truth Social network, adding that "the United States of America will be there to help him." Burnham also spoke with Volodymyr Zelensky, reaffirming his "firm commitment" to the Ukrainian people, and with Emmanuel Macron, to whom he said he "looked forward to strengthening the strong relationship between the United Kingdom and France."

Domestically, Labour is counting on the man nicknamed "the King of the North" to stem the rise of Reform UK, Nigel Farage's anti-immigration party, currently leading in the polls ahead of the 2029 general election. Farage has called for an immediate election, arguing that Burnham is acting "without a mandate." Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has criticized him for "taking office without having defined a clear plan."

Burnham, mayor of Manchester since 2017 after two unsuccessful attempts to become Labour leader in 2010 and 2015, built his popularity on the revitalization of the Manchester metropolitan area. He has stated his desire to decentralize power and create a "Northern No. 10" in Manchester.