Andy Burnham set to take charge as U.K. prime minister

5 days ago 18

Democracy Dies in Darkness

The former mayor of Greater Manchester will replace Keir Starmer as part of a Labour government reset, becoming Britain’s sixth prime minister in a decade.

July 20, 2026 at 6:02 a.m. EDT19 minutes ago

Media cameras are set up outside 10 Downing Street on Monday as Larry the cat sits in front of the door, on the day of the transfer of power from outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Labour Party leader Andy Burnham. (Isabel Infantes/Reuters)

LONDON — Andy Burnham, the longtime mayor of Greater Manchester, Britain’s second largest urban area, will on Monday become Britain’s sixth prime minister in a decade, taking charge of a Labour government that won power in a landslide two years ago but quickly lost the country’s confidence amid lingering economic malaise.