Andy Burnham is set to become the United Kingdom’s next prime minister on Monday after Keir Starmer announced his resignation, triggering a leadership transition within the ruling Labour Party.
Burnham, who currently serves as Mayor of Greater Manchester, was elected Labour leader after the special party conference on Friday. With Labour holding a majority in the House of Commons, the party leader was invited by King Charles III to form a government without the need for a general election.
The transfer of power will follow Britain’s constitutional process. Starmer will formally resign after travelling to Buckingham Palace to advise the King to invite Burnham to form a new government. Burnham will then attend the traditional “Kissing Hands” ceremony before returning to 10 Downing Street as Britain’s 59th prime minister.
Burnham’s appointment comes less than two years after Labour secured a parliamentary majority in the 2024 general election. His victory in the leadership contest followed a special party election held after Starmer’s resignation.
The leadership handover continues a long-standing convention in British politics, under which governing parties can replace their leaders without holding a national election, provided they retain the confidence of the House of Commons.
Burnham, a veteran Labour politician and former Cabinet minister, is expected to outline his government’s priorities after taking office on Monday, marking the beginning of a new chapter in UK politics.
