Andy Burnham declared Labour Party leader, will become U.K. prime minister
Andy Burnham was officially declared leader of Britain's governing Labour Party, clearing his final hurdle to taking office as prime minister next week.
Updated on: July 17, 2026 / 7:57 AM EDT / CBS/AP
The center-left party announced the result of a leadership contest to replace departing Prime Minister Keir Starmer , in which Burnham was the only contender.
The announcement was a forgone conclusion after he secured nominations from 379 of the 403 Labour lawmakers in the House of Commons as of Thursday night.
"We're going to give them hope back," Burnham said in his first speech as leader. "This is a proud moment you have given me and my family today, and an emotional one, but it is one for which I am ready."
Starmer had been under mounting pressure to resign for weeks, following a disastrous round of local elections for his party in early May, but his decision came after a political rival from within Labour. He will remain prime minister until Monday, when he formally tenders his resignation to King Charles III. The king will then ask Burnham to form a government.