Andy Burnham turned prime minister of the UK on Monday, succeeding Keir Starmer in a handover choreographed round a go to to Buckingham Palace, the place Starmer formally resigned and King Charles III later invited Burnham to type a authorities.
Earlier than heading to the palace, Starmer gave a farewell speech outdoors 10 Downing Avenue, flanked by colleagues and employees who greeted him with cheers and applause. He has structured his six and a half years as Labor chief and two years as prime minister round landslide victory within the 2024 election, pointing to falling immigration numbers, shorter Nationwide Well being Service ready instances and kids being lifted out of poverty as markers of his document. He stated essentially the most humbling side of his job was witnessing “braveness, decency and compassion” throughout the nation daily, and concluded by wishing Burnham “each success”, pledging his “full assist” earlier than thanking his household, employees and the entire Labor Get together.
“My work is completed,” Starmer stated. “It has been the privilege of my life to serve you and this nice nation as Prime Minister, and I’m assured that Britain is now stronger and fairer than it was two years in the past.”
Starmer’s last days in workplace introduced him a raft of worldwide recognition. On July 14, French President Emmanuel Macron awarded him the Legion of Honor for his work with France on European safety. Two days later, throughout a last go to to kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered him with the Order of Freedom, Ukraine’s highest honor awarded to a international nationwide, highlighting his assist for the nation all through the struggle with Russia.
“I’m going there with good grace, I’m going there with a smile and I’m pleased with every part now we have achieved,” Starmer stated.
Burnham, the previous mayor of Higher Manchester, was confirmed as Labor chief unopposed on July 17, after securing the nominations of 379 of the occasion’s 403 MPs. His affirmation capped a five-week time period from returning to Parliament through a by-election victory in Makerfield to being put in because the nation’s seventh prime minister in a decade.
Burnham was the one declared candidate within the management contest, which adopted a riot amongst Labor lawmakers towards Starmer.
After Starmer formally resigned as Prime Minister at Buckingham Palace, Burnham adopted him and met King Charles III. He formally turned the 59th Prime Minister of the UK.
An announcement from Buckingham Palace stated: “Her Majesty acquired in viewers the Proper Honorable Andrew Burnham MP and requested him to type a brand new administration. The Proper Honorable Andrew Burnham MP accepted the King’s supply and kissed his hand on his appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury.”