Andy Burnham becomes U.K. prime minister, 7th in a decade

Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham gives his first speech in front of 10 Downing Street in central London on July 20, 2026. Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS /AFP via Getty Images

Article content

After two years in office characterized by policy U-turns and public unpopularity, a beleaguered Keir Starmer has officially stepped down as U.K. prime minister.

Article content

Apparently waiting in the wings to take his place was veteran politician Andy Burnham, who became the U.K.’s seventh PM in a decade today in a meeting with King Charles III, after receiving support from 379 out of 403 Labour lawmakers to become the next party leader.

Article content

Article content

Article content

Previously Mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham was sworn in as a member of parliament the same day Starmer announced his resignation, after winning a crucial by-election.

Article content

Article content

In his first speech as U.K. prime minister today, Burnham said that “people at home are fed up with politics” and that the country’s political class has “not been good enough.”

Article content

“We need to be better. We will be,” he vowed, pledging “the biggest changes in the last 40 years” and to “bring back hope.”

Article content

Article content

Article content

Burnham became an MP in 2001 and served as health secretary under former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown, before leaving parliament in 2017 to become mayor of Greater Manchester. He had a successful run in the job, twice being re-elected and earning the nickname “king of the north.”

Article content

Article content

Mel Cappe, distinguished fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, said in an interview with National Post that Burnham’s popularity is partly due to his “very good reputation for dealing with bread and butter issues” such as potholes and traffic during his time as mayor of Greater Manchester.

Article content

And yet, Cappe thinks Burnham is a “funny choice” for Labour leader.

Article content

Burnham, Cappe explains, is further to the left of the political spectrum than Starmer.

Article content

For example, Cappe points out, “One of the first budgets that Starmer brought in was a raise in taxes, which he had promised not to do. Burnham has said he won’t raise taxes, but we’ll see. How can he do what he wants to do without having revenue?”

Article content

In Cappe’s opinion, a more centrist candidate is more likely to see success where Starmer didn’t. “Labour is now losing to the right and losing to the left. If there’s a resurgence on the left and a resurgence on the right, you’d better pick the middle and be able to bring people from the Green Party and the Conservatives and Reform to Labour.