LONDON — Andy Burnham became Britain's new prime minister on Monday after King Charles III asked him to form a government, following Keir Starmer's resignation and a rapid leadership transition within the governing Labour Party.
Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, arrived at 10 Downing Street after meeting the king at Buckingham Palace, where he formally accepted the task of forming a government under Britain's constitutional process. In his first remarks as prime minister, he pledged to focus on easing cost-of-living pressures, reforming public services and restoring public trust in government.
Starmer tendered his resignation to King Charles earlier on Monday, ending a little more than two years in office after leading Labour to victory in the 2024 general election. Rachel Reeves, who served as finance minister under Starmer, confirmed she was leaving the government and wished Burnham's administration success.
Burnham has begun appointing a new cabinet, replacing several senior members of Starmer's team as he seeks to establish his own administration. Officials said further ministerial appointments would be announced as the transition continues.
The change in leadership makes Burnham the seventh British prime minister in roughly a decade, underscoring a period of frequent political turnover in the United Kingdom. Additional cabinet appointments and policy announcements were still being confirmed at the time of publication.
