Tuesday 21 / July / 2026
London: Newly-minted Labour Party leader Andy Burnham has met with the UK's King Charles III on Monday, the traditional final step in becoming the country's head of government.
Burnham is the seventh British prime minister in the last 10 years since the UK voted to leave the European Union.
His predecessor Keir Starmer announced that he was stepping aside in June after several Cabinet ministers resigned amid plummeting poll numbers and questions about his leadership.
Former mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham managed to win a risky special election in June in order to re-enter parliament.
The new prime minister is expected to deliver his first speech as leader after leaving Buckingham Palace.
Starmer formally resigns
For Burnham to officially become prime minister, Starmer had to formally tender his resignation to King Charles III.
In prepared remarks as he left 10 Downing Street, the outgoing leader highlighted his role in taking Labour from slumping poll numbers to a "landslide victory" two years ago.
"Britain is now stronger and fairer than it was two years ago," he said, claiming a better economy, shorter NHS wait times, and decreasing immigration.
He wished his successor "every success" and said offered his full support.
