Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, has become Labour leader with overwhelming party support and will take over as UK prime minister on Monday, saying he is ready to 'beat Britain's new right'.
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Key facts
- Andy Burnham has become leader of the Labour party.
- He is set to take over as UK prime minister on Monday.
- He said he is ready to 'beat Britain's new right' with a fresh, united approach.
- He won the support of MPs, trade unions and party branches, making him the only choice to succeed Keir Starmer.
- Burnham previously served as mayor of Greater Manchester.
Andy Burnham has become the leader of the Labour party and is preparing to take over as British prime minister on Monday, according to the Guardian. The former mayor of Greater Manchester declared himself ready to ‘beat Britain’s new right’ with what he described as a fresh, united approach.
Burnham said the country was ‘crying out for a new politics’ as he set out his intentions on taking the top job in Labour and, imminently, in government.
According to the Guardian, Burnham won the overwhelming support of MPs, trade unions and party branches, a level of backing that made him the only choice to take over the leadership.
He succeeds Keir Starmer as Labour leader and is due to move into the role of prime minister at the start of the coming week.
Burnham comes to the position after a period as mayor of Greater Manchester, a regional role he held before stepping onto the national stage as party leader.
The Guardian reported the developments on 17 July 2026, describing the leadership transition as the final step towards Burnham becoming UK prime minister.
Why it matters
A change of prime minister marks a significant shift in the direction of the UK government. Burnham's stated aim of confronting 'Britain's new right' signals the political battleground he intends to define for his time in office.
Frequently asked questions
When will Andy Burnham become prime minister?
According to the Guardian, Burnham is set to take over as British prime minister on Monday.
Who did Andy Burnham succeed as Labour leader?
Burnham took over the Labour leadership from Keir Starmer.
What role did Burnham hold before becoming Labour leader?
Burnham was previously the mayor of Greater Manchester.
Timeline
- Burnham declares he is ready to ‘beat Britain’s new right’ as he becomes Labour leader
The Guardian World: Former Greater Manchester mayor, who will take over as PM on Monday, says country ‘crying out for a new politics’ UK politics live – latest updates Andy Burnham has declared himself ready to “beat Britain’s new right” with a fresh, united approach as he becomes the leader of the