Andy Burnham becomes U.K.Prime Minister

Monday July 20, 2026: Former Manchester Mayor, Andrew Burnham, was appointed Prime Minister of the U.K. on Monday (July 20, 2026), its seventh in a decade. Mr. Burnham described the moment as a “circuit breaker”, as he promised to usher in a new political and social model for the country, taking power out of London and spreading it across the regions of the U.K.
The outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had made history two years ago, when he led the Labour Party in one of the largest victories in modern times, made history again on Monday, but this time for becoming the U.K.’s shortest serving Labour Prime Minister.
“I go with good grace, I go with a smile, and I go proud of everything that we have achieved,” Mr. Starmer said in brief remarks outside on Downing Street, as he wished his successor “every success”.
The 56-year-old Mr, Burnham is pro-European; he has said previously that he hopes to see the U.K. back in the E.U. during his lifetime although he said he would not act to bring that about during his term in office. He apologized in recent days for Labour’s initial position on the Israel-Gaza conflict and has promised firmer actions against Israel. He appears to be pro-NATO and has indicated he will be bound by Mr. Starmer’s £15 billion defence investment plan which was announced in recent days. Mr. Burhnam recently said that British support for Ukraine “will not waiver” and that the U.S. was the county’s most important security ally. The new Prime Minister has committed to keeping Jonathan Powell in post as the U.K.’s national security adviser.