Andy Burnham formally took office as prime minister of the United Kingdom on Monday after King Charles III asked him to form a new government, completing the transfer of power from Keir Starmer.

Burnham becomes the fourth prime minister of the King’s reign since Charles ascended the throne in September 2022 and the seventh person to hold the office in a decade marked by political instability.

The 56-year-old former mayor of Greater Manchester attended Buckingham Palace with his wife, Marie-France van Heel, where he formally accepted the King’s invitation to establish a new administration.

He then travelled to 10 Downing Street, where he addressed government staff and the media as Britain’s new prime minister.

Ten-year plan for Britain

In his first speech, Burnham promised to introduce a 10-year plan aimed at restoring political stability, rebuilding public trust and transforming Britain’s economic model.

“Britain needs to show the world that we can regain our stability once again,” he said.

Burnham acknowledged widespread public frustration with politics and admitted that the country’s political leaders had not performed well enough.

He said his government would announce immediate measures to provide households with “breathing space” from the cost-of-living crisis before presenting its broader national plan later this year.

His first instruction as prime minister, he said, would be to begin work on ending long-term rough sleeping. His government subsequently announced £340 million in funding over three years to support the initiative.

Burnham also promised greater investment in mental health services, council housing and education, alongside plans to transfer more power from Westminster to cities and regions across Britain.

Economic and political challenges

The new prime minister inherits an economy struggling with slow growth, high living costs and limited room for additional spending because of Britain’s growing public debt.

Burnham said his government would maintain existing fiscal rules and would not take risks with the economy. He also promised not to increase taxes on working people, while suggesting that the government would use available flexibility to finance investment and immediate household support.

Labour hopes Burnham’s popularity in northern England will help the party counter the rise of Nigel Farage’s right-wing Reform UK.

Known as the “King of the North,” Burnham won three consecutive terms as mayor of Greater Manchester after taking office in 2017. He previously contested the Labour leadership in 2010 and 2015.

Burnham was elected Labour leader on Friday after receiving the support of about 94% of the party’s members of Parliament. Labour’s parliamentary majority allowed him to become prime minister without a general election.

Conservative opposition leader Kemi Badenoch accused Burnham of seeking to please people and avoiding difficult decisions, arguing that Britain needed a leader willing to make unpopular choices.

Early policy changes

One of Burnham’s first major breaks with Starmer’s government will be the cancellation of the proposed national digital identification scheme.

The programme, which was intended to combat illegal employment, was estimated to cost around £1.8 billion over three years. Burnham’s team said the funding and resources would instead be redirected towards addressing the cost-of-living crisis.

Reports have also suggested that his government could permit limited new oil and gas development in the North Sea through projects connected to existing infrastructure. However, Labour is expected to maintain its broader ban on issuing new exploration licences.

US President Donald Trump welcomed the possibility of additional North Sea development, claiming it could transform Britain into one of the world’s wealthiest countries.

Starmer leaves Downing Street

Starmer announced his resignation on June 22 after declining public support, internal Labour opposition and losses in local elections.

Before leaving Downing Street on Monday, Starmer defended his record and said Britain was stronger and fairer than when he entered office following Labour’s landslide election victory in July 2024.

“I leave with a smile, and I leave proud of what we achieved,” he said before travelling to Buckingham Palace to formally submit his resignation.

The King accepted Starmer’s resignation before receiving Burnham and authorizing him to form the new government.