Andy Burnham is set to become the UK’s prime minister on Monday, after becoming the Labour Party’s leader on Friday.
He will replace Sir Keir Starmer, who won the 2024 general election but started losing public backing soon after arriving at Downing Street. Starmer’s leadership also lost the trust of many Labour Members of Parliament (MPs) after populist right-wing party Reform UK dominated the May local elections.
By contrast, Burnham won a by-election in Makerfield against the Reform UK candidate last month. This made the left-wing party confident that he is more likely to win against Reform leader Nigel Farage in the next general election.
Burnham will be the seventh UK prime minister in the last 10 years, five of whom first took office without winning a general election, indicating political and democratic instability. Many expect him to take Labour in a traditional direction, leaning more to the left than the centrist outlook Starmer provided.
“What backing you’ve given me. All our affiliated trade unions, all our socialist societies, 379 of our MPs. All of them heard the call of the people of Makerfield on behalf of forgotten places everywhere, up and down this country. For a return of the Labour they once knew. And now we answered that call. We will be that version of Labour again,” he said in a speech after becoming Labour leader.
This is our chance to put power back where it belongs.
Watch the Labour leadership announcement here 👇🏻https://t.co/QssBeUjk6n
— Andy Burnham (@andyburnham) July 17, 2026
In terms of policy, Burnham is expected to leave the three largest personal taxes unchanged, in line with promises that helped Labour win in 2024. But he has left open the possibility of raising revenue through other tax measures or structural reforms to finance defense, public services, or regional investment, according to the BBC.
He is also considering a wealth tax, which could improve the living standards of millions while reducing inequalities. But it remains unclear what this tax would entail.
The next few days are about more than changing who governs Britain.
They’re about changing how Britain is governed.
— Andy Burnham (@andyburnham) July 17, 2026
This is our chance to put power back where it belongs.
Watch the Labour leadership announcement here 👇🏻https://t.co/QssBeUjk6n
— Andy Burnham (@andyburnham) July 17, 2026
Burnham became an MP in 2001 and held cabinet roles under Gordon Brown’s government before quitting as an MP in 2017. He has been mayor of Greater Manchester and is known for being a voice for northern England, which has seen wealth and development imbalances compared to the south.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he suspects Burnham is “extremely liberal,” while Russia said its relations with Britain are unlikely to improve.
