Britain Is About to Get a New Prime Minister: When Will Andy Burnham Take Office? Key Questions Answered

Britain is set to get a new prime minister as Andy Burnham prepares to replace Keir Starmer. Here’s when he’ll take office, how the transition works and what comes next.

Andy Burnham is set to become the UK’s next prime minister after securing the backing of Labour MPs to replace Sir Keir Starmer as party leader. While Burnham will officially take over as Labour leader on Friday, he is expected to become prime minister on Monday, following the UK’s constitutional process.

Here’s everything you need to know about the leadership transition.

Although Burnham will become Labour leader on Friday, he will not officially become the UK’s prime minister until Monday.

According to the UK’s constitutional process, Sir Keir Starmer will first meet King Charles III to formally tender his resignation as prime minister. The King will then invite Burnham to form a government.

Once Burnham accepts the invitation, he will officially become the UK’s prime minister. Both meetings are traditionally held at Buckingham Palace.

Burnham is then expected to travel to 10 Downing Street, where he is likely to deliver his first speech as prime minister outside No. 10.

The leadership change does not require a general election. In the UK, prime ministers are not directly elected by the public. Instead, the leader of the political party that commands a majority in the House of Commons becomes prime minister.

Sir Keir Starmer led Labour to a landslide general election victory in 2024. However, his government’s popularity declined following a series of policy reversals and political setbacks.

According to reports, Labour MPs became increasingly concerned after Reform UK performed strongly in local elections in May, raising fears that Nigel Farage’s party could pose a serious challenge at the next general election.

Burnham, who has long been seen as a potential Labour leader, returned to Parliament through a by-election only last month. His victory, along with growing support from Labour MPs, paved the way for him to replace Starmer without a leadership contest.

Several senior Labour figures, including former health secretary Wes Streeting, reportedly backed Burnham’s leadership bid instead of launching campaigns of their own.

As prime minister, Burnham has indicated that he will broadly stick to Labour’s 2024 election commitments, including maintaining existing rates of income tax, VAT and National Insurance.

At the same time, he has outlined several priorities of his own. These include devolving more powers from Westminster to local councils and regional authorities, particularly over housing and transport.

Burnham has also proposed establishing a second No. 10 team in Manchester, more than 150 miles north of London, as part of his wider plan to decentralise government.

He has also signalled possible changes to welfare, social care, immigration and defence policies, and has suggested that a wealth tax could be considered, although he has yet to announce detailed policy plans.

One of his first responsibilities after taking office will be appointing senior Cabinet ministers, including the chancellor, home secretary and foreign secretary. The appointments have not yet been announced.