Britain’s Andy Burnham Sworn In as 59th Prime Minister

LONDON: Labour Party leader Andy Burnham has officially taken office as the 59th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, marking another major leadership transition in British politics.

According to British media, Burnham becomes the UK’s seventh prime minister in the past decade. King Charles III formally invited him to form a new government during a meeting at Buckingham Palace, completing the constitutional transfer of power.

The 56-year-old Burnham was elected unopposed as Labour Party leader last week, prompting former Prime Minister Keir Starmer to submit his resignation to the King. Under the UK’s constitutional system, a governing party can replace its leader without holding a general election if it retains a parliamentary majority. Labour currently holds a clear majority in Parliament.

On Monday morning, Keir Starmer delivered his farewell address outside 10 Downing Street, highlighting economic growth and a reduction in net immigration as key achievements of his government. He expressed his full support for Burnham and described serving as prime minister as the greatest honor of his life.

Starmer then traveled to Buckingham Palace to formally tender his resignation. Shortly afterward, Burnham met King Charles III, who invited him to form the next government in a ceremony traditionally known as “Kissing Hands,” although the symbolic hand-kissing is no longer practiced.

Following the royal audience, Prime Minister Andy Burnham returned to 10 Downing Street, where he delivered his first address to the nation, outlining his vision and priorities for the United Kingdom.