The United Kingdom has a new head of government. Andy Burnham was officially appointed Prime Minister on Monday, July 20, by King Charles III, who received him at Buckingham Palace before asking him to form a new government. The Labour leader succeeds Keir Starmer, whose resignation was accepted earlier by the monarch.
A meteoric political rise
Aged 56, former mayor of Greater Manchester and ex-minister, Andy Burnham takes the reins of the government after being elected leader of the Labour Party last Friday. His rise to power has been particularly swift: having returned to the House of Commons just four weeks ago, he becomes the fourth Prime Minister appointed by Charles III since the King's accession to the throne in 2022.
Before leaving Downing Street, Keir Starmer delivered a final speech in which he stated that his "job is done" and wished his successor "every success," offering him his "full support." His departure comes after significant internal dissent within the Labour Party, fueled by poor local election results and a continued decline in his popularity.
Andy Burnham must now present his government and outline the main priorities of his mandate. A popular figure in the north of England, he has already indicated his desire to strengthen the decentralization of power and intends to divide his time between London and Manchester, a break with the traditional practices of British Prime Ministers.
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