Andy Burnham has formally become the UK prime minister after meeting King Charles at Buckingham Palace, succeeding Keir Starmer. In his first speech he pledged to end rough sleeping and build a new economy.
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Key facts
- Andy Burnham became UK prime minister after meeting King Charles at Buckingham Palace.
- He took over from Keir Starmer, who resigned to the monarch earlier the same day.
- Burnham became Labour leader on Friday and is the fourth prime minister in less than four years.
- He is the sixth person to hold the role within a decade.
- In his first speech he pledged to end rough sleeping and build a new economy.
Andy Burnham has formally become the United Kingdom’s prime minister after meeting King Charles at Buckingham Palace, according to the Guardian. He is the fourth person to hold the role in less than four years and the sixth within a decade.
Burnham, who took over from Keir Starmer as leader of the Labour party on Friday, accepted the appointment as prime minister shortly after Starmer had gone to the palace to resign to the monarch, the Guardian reported. Both Burnham and Starmer are from the center-left Labour Party, according to NPR.
NPR described the change as a transition of power presided over by King Charles, with Burnham replacing Starmer at the head of government. The new prime minister is expected to head to Downing Street to appoint his cabinet.
In his first speech as prime minister, delivered at Downing Street, Burnham pledged to end rough sleeping, according to the Guardian. He said he wants to put ‘the right values and the right standards at the heart of government.’
Burnham also pledged to ‘build a new economy’ in the same address, the Guardian reported. The speech followed his meeting with King Charles at Buckingham Palace earlier in the day.
The Guardian noted that as Burnham traveled to Buckingham Palace and No 10, he may have seen banners on Whitehall urging the government not to allow the proposed Rosebank oil field development in the North Sea.
Why it matters
The change means the UK has had four prime ministers in under four years, underscoring a period of unusual political turnover at the top of government. Burnham's early pledges on rough sleeping and the economy signal the priorities he intends to set for his tenure.
Frequently asked questions
Who did Andy Burnham replace as prime minister?
Burnham replaced Keir Starmer, who resigned to King Charles at Buckingham Palace earlier the same day. Both are from the center-left Labour Party.
What did Burnham promise in his first speech?
In his first speech at Downing Street, Burnham pledged to end rough sleeping and to build a new economy, and said he wants to put the right values and standards at the heart of government.
When did Burnham become Labour leader?
According to the Guardian, Burnham took over from Keir Starmer as leader of the Labour party on Friday, before formally becoming prime minister.
Timeline
- Opinion: Burnham is Britain's new prime minister. Now what?
CNBC Top News: The U.K.'s new prime minister faces a huge test when it comes to convincing the financial markets.
- Andy Burnham pledges to end rough sleeping in first speech as prime minister – UK politics live
The Guardian World: The new PM said he wants to put ‘the right values and the right standards at the heart of government’ Andy Burnham becomes UK prime minister after meeting King Charles Andy Burnham may see banners urging the government not to allow the proposed Rosebank oil field development in t
- Andy Burnham pledges to ‘build a new economy’ in first speech as prime minister – UK politics live
The Guardian World: New PM delivers address at Downing Street after meeting with King Charles at Buckingham Palace Andy Burnham becomes UK prime minister after meeting King Charles Andy Burnham may see banners urging the government not to allow the proposed Rosebank oil field development in the Nort
- Andy Burnham gives first speech after becoming UK prime minister – UK politics live
The Guardian World: New PM makes address at Downing Street as after meeting with King Charles at Buckingham Palace Andy Burnham becomes UK prime minister after meeting King Charles Andy Burnham may see banners urging the government not to allow the proposed Rosebank oil field development in the Nort
- Andy Burnham becomes UK prime minister after meeting King Charles
The Guardian World: New Labour leader takes over from Keir Starmer and will head to Downing Street to appoint his cabinet UK politics live – latest updates Andy Burnham has formally become the UK prime minister after meeting King Charles at Buckingham Palace, the fourth person to hold the role in le
- Keir Starmer resigns, Andy Burnham becomes U.K. prime minister
NPR News: In a transition of power presided over by King Charles, Andy Burnham replaces Keir Starmer as the United Kingdom's prime minister. Both are from the center-left Labour Party.
- Andy Burnham becomes U.K. prime minister after Starmer resigns
NPR News: In a transition of power presided over by King Charles, Andy Burnham has replaced Keir Starmer as the United Kingdom's prime minister. Both are from the center-left Labour Party.
- Andy Burnham becomes U.K. prime minister
NPR News: In a transition of power presided over by King Charles, Andy Burnham has replaced Keir Starmer as the United Kingdom's prime minister. Both are from the center-left Labour Party.