Andy Burnham has officially become the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after being invited by King Charles III to form a government at Buckingham Palace.
Burnham, who succeeded Keir Starmer as leader of the Labour Party on Friday, formally accepted the King’s invitation shortly after Starmer tendered his resignation.
The former Mayor of Greater Manchester is the fourth person to serve as UK prime minister in less than four years and the sixth within the past decade.
Following his appointment, Burnham travelled to 10 Downing Street, where he addressed the nation before beginning the process of appointing members of his Cabinet.
Burnham returned to Parliament just a month ago after winning a by-election organised by Labour allies, paving the way for his leadership bid. His emergence followed growing dissatisfaction among Labour MPs and ministers over Starmer’s leadership, which had been weakened by a series of political setbacks and policy reversals.
With no challenger contesting the Labour leadership, Burnham assumed the party’s top position unopposed and has now taken office as Britain’s new prime minister.