Andy Burnham has officially become the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after meeting King Charles III at Buckingham Palace. The newly elected Labour leader received the monarch's invitation to form a government in a ceremony known as the "kissing of hands," a statement from Buckingham Palace confirmed.
Transition of Power
Earlier, departing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer delivered a farewell address outside Downing Street. He stated, "I'm about to visit His Majesty The King and offer my resignation to close the book on my time as Prime Minister. My work is done. In six and a half years, I took our party from a historic defeat in 2019 - changed it, so it was fit to face the country, and won a landslide general election victory in 2024." He added, "It has been the privilege of my life to serve you and this great country as Prime Minister. And I am confident that Britain is now stronger and fairer than it was two years ago."
Policy Agenda
After being elected leader of the Labour Party, the former Manchester mayor pledged to give people "breathing room" against the rising cost of living. Reports suggest his cost-of-living support could include action on energy bills, potentially allowing more oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. However, environmental campaigners have urged him to stick to Labour’s 2024 manifesto, which promised not to issue new licences for North Sea drilling, arguing they would not reduce energy bills.
Cabinet Appointments
Mr Burnham is expected to confirm his cabinet later this afternoon, having been tight-lipped about his selections. He may also face a decision on whether to temporarily nationalise Thames Water, as the firm struggles with a £20 billion debt pile.
