Andy Burnham Becomes UK Prime Minister After Starmer Resigns

Outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer formally resigned on July 20, 2026, after serving just over two years. His departure followed a decline in approval ratings, poor local election results in May, and internal party pressure. In his final address at 10 Downing Street and subsequent final Prime Minister's Questions, Starmer cited his stabilization of the economy and support for Ukraine as key legacies, stating he left the country in a better shape than he found it.

Prior to his exit, Starmer conducted a final diplomatic tour, attending Bastille Day celebrations in Paris where French President Emmanuel Macron awarded him the Légion d’honneur for his leadership of the "coalition of the willing" supporting Ukraine. Domestically, Starmer accelerated legacy measures, including the passage of the Hillsborough Law and the proscription of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Council.

Andy Burnham, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester, succeeded Starmer after securing the backing of 369 Labour MPs. Upon being appointed by King Charles III, Burnham announced a radical shift in governance to combat the cost-of-living crisis and regional inequality. His immediate actions included scrapping Starmer's nationwide digital identity scheme to redirect funds toward household relief. Burnham pledged a ten-year plan to "rewire" the nation, which includes establishing a "No 10 North" office in Manchester to devolve power from Westminster and initiating a massive council house building program. He also signaled potential state intervention for debt-stricken utilities like Thames Water and a more critical diplomatic stance toward Israel's conduct in Gaza.