London, July 20, 2026: Britain’s King Charles III on Monday appointed Labour leader Andy Burnham as prime minister after Keir Starmer formally tendered his resignation, Buckingham Palace announced.
In a statement, the palace said, “Andrew Burnham MP accepted The King’s offer and kissed hands upon his appointment as Prime Minister,” adding that King Charles had asked him to form the next government.
Speaking shortly after his appointment, Burnham pledged to introduce a 10-year plan to rebuild Britain, saying the country needed to restore political stability and public confidence.
“Britain needs to show the world that we can regain our stability once again,” he said.
Burnham announced that his first instruction as prime minister would be to end rough sleeping across the country. He also promised measures to ease the cost-of-living crisis and outlined plans to reform education, expand mental health support for young people and increase the construction of council housing.
“That is the fair and sustainable way to bring the welfare bill down, to meet our fiscal rules, and to honour our commitments on defence to our international partners,” he said.
Burnham’s appointment follows his election as Labour Party leader, a development he recently described as “the most significant change moment in our politics for 40 years.”
He has pledged to reform Britain’s political system and address concerns over affordability, economic growth and regional inequality.
His immediate priorities include appointing a new cabinet, with the selection of the finance minister expected to be one of his first major decisions.
Burnham has also signalled policy changes, including scrapping plans for a mandatory digital identity document for all employees and reviewing taxation, public spending, energy policy and regulation of utility companies.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Burnham on assuming office as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
In a message posted on X, Shehbaz Sharif wished Burnham success in his tenure and expressed hope of working closely with him to further strengthen the historic and longstanding friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
