Andy Burnham has officially become the United Kingdom’s prime minister after King Charles III invited him to form a new government at Buckingham Palace, ushering in a new administration following the resignation of Keir Starmer.
Burnham, the fifth person to serve as UK prime minister in four years, is expected to travel to 10 Downing Street to deliver his inaugural address to the nation.
His appointment comes after Starmer formally tendered his resignation to the King, bringing his premiership to an end.
In his farewell speech outside Downing Street, Starmer reflected on his time in office and expressed pride in his government’s achievements.
“I go with good grace, I go with a smile and I go proud of everything that we have achieved.”
Burnham, who assumed the leadership of the Labour Party on Friday, is expected to set out the priorities of his administration in his first address as prime minister.
His government is widely expected to introduce a series of policy initiatives, with reports suggesting that a reduction in income tax could be among the measures under consideration.
The new prime minister is also expected to begin reshaping his administration later on Monday by appointing members of his Cabinet and making changes to ministerial positions.
Ahead of the anticipated Cabinet reshuffle, Prisons Minister Lord Timpson resigned on Monday morning, becoming the first minister to leave office following the change in government.
