LONDON – Burnham accepted the King’s invitation during an audience at Buckingham Palace, shortly after Starmer formally stepped down as prime minister. The Labour leader is now expected to travel to 10 Downing Street, where he will deliver his first address as prime minister before announcing his new Cabinet.
The leadership transition follows Burnham’s election as leader of the governing Labour Party on Friday. His appointment comes after Starmer resigned amid mounting pressure from within his party following a series of political setbacks and declining support among Labour MPs and ministers.
Burnham, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester, returned to the House of Commons only last month after winning a by-election that paved the way for his return to frontline national politics.
With no challenger emerging for the Labour leadership, Burnham assumed the party’s top post unopposed, clearing the way for him to become prime minister without a leadership contest.
His appointment makes him the fourth person to occupy 10 Downing Street in less than four years and the sixth UK prime minister in the past decade, reflecting a period of continued political change in British politics.
After taking office, Burnham is expected to begin assembling his Cabinet and set out the priorities of his new administration in his first speech outside Downing Street.