By Dwayne Ferreira.
Andy Burnham becomes PM after Keir Starmer resigns, unveiling cost-of-living measures, a new Cabinet and an ambitious 10-year plan.
Andy Burnham becomes PM after King Charles III formally appointed him on July 20 to replace Keir Starmer. The transition made Burnham the United Kingdom’s seventh prime minister since the 2016 Brexit referendum.
Starmer resigned after two years in office amid mounting pressure inside the Labour Party. Burnham then secured the party leadership after receiving backing from 379 Labour MPs and 23 affiliated organisations. Labour formally declared him leader at a special conference in London on July 17.
Andy Burnham Becomes PM With a 10-Year Plan
Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, Burnham promised immediate action on Britain’s cost-of-living crisis. He said his government would give households “some breathing space now” while preparing a broader 10-year national plan later this year.
The programme will focus on economic renewal, infrastructure, education reform, mental health support, social care and greater decentralisation. Burnham also launched an urgent drive to end rough sleeping, supported by an additional £340 million in government funding.
The new prime minister said Britain needed political stability and admitted that government had fallen short of public expectations. He presented his arrival as a chance to restore hope, rebuild trust and move power away from Westminster.
Burnham Reshapes the Cabinet
Burnham appointed John Healey as Chancellor of the Exchequer and moved Ed Miliband to the Foreign Office. Yvette Cooper became Health Secretary, while Shabana Mahmood remained Home Secretary.
Louise Haigh became First Secretary of State and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Wes Streeting took over as Defence Secretary, Angela Rayner returned as Housing Secretary and Lucy Powell became Education Secretary.
The reshuffle also removed several prominent figures from Starmer’s administration. Rachel Reeves, David Lammy and other senior ministers left government as Burnham built a Cabinet combining experienced Labour figures with close political allies.
Internationally, Burnham moved quickly to reassure Britain’s partners. He reaffirmed support for NATO, Ukraine and the country’s defence commitments. He also spoke with US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his first day in office.
Burnham now faces the difficult task of turning an ambitious domestic programme into funded policy. His government must ease living costs, improve public services and maintain Labour unity while meeting Britain’s international obligations. His first appointments signal a sharp change in personnel, but the success of his premiership will depend on whether that political reset produces visible results.
