Andy Burnham is set to officially take over as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at around 12pm on Monday, July 20. The former Greater Manchester mayor will visit Buckingham Palace, where the King will invite him to form a Government, following Sir Keir Starmer's formal resignation.
Timeline of Events
At approximately 11:15am, Sir Keir Starmer is expected to deliver his final speech before tendering his resignation. He will then go to Buckingham Palace at 11:30am to greet the King for the last time and offer his formal resignation.
At 12pm, Mr Burnham will visit Buckingham Palace, where the King will invite him to form a Government. The former Greater Manchester mayor is then expected to leave the palace and arrive at Downing Street for the first time as Prime Minister at around 12:40pm. He is expected to make his first speech to the nation as Prime Minister at approximately 1pm.
Burnham's Path to Power
Mr Burnham officially took over as leader of the Labour Party on Friday, July 17, after facing virtually no challenges. He delivered his first speech at a special conference in London. His journey back to Westminster began with a first attempt to run as an MP in the Gorton and Denton by-election back in February, but he was blocked by Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC).
When former Makerfield MP Josh Simons stood down three months later, Mr Burnham attempted again and was approved by the NEC. Following a tumultuous campaign period, he won the hotly contested Makerfield seat to become an MP again. After Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation last month, Burnham launched his leadership bid.
Ceremonial Transition
On Monday, Sir Keir Starmer is set to officially pass the title of Prime Minister to Andy Burnham. The new PM will make his first speech in his new role from Downing Street at around 1pm. According to the schedule, Sir Keir will first give his final speech at 11:15am, then resign to the King at 11:30am, before Burnham's audience at noon.
