Everything you need to know as Andy Burnham set to become PM within hours
Andy Burnham is set to become prime minister in just a few hours after what has been a rather unconventional rise to the top.
The Makerfield MP was only elected back into Parliament just over one month ago, leaving behind his long-held role as mayor of Greater Manchester.
It isn’t his first time in Westminster – he previously served in Gordon Brown’s cabinet before standing down to run as mayor of Greater Manchester.
Now, a decade later, he will hope to use that experience in the rapidly growing city-region to run the country.
Mr Burnham will be coronated as prime minister this afternoon after Sir Keir Starmer formally resigns to the King.
What happens next – including his picks for his cabinet – remains to be seen.
Nicole Wootton-Cane20 July 2026 07:00
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Andy Burnham is set to argue that Britain faces a “moment not for triumphalism but for honesty and reflection” and set out a plan to “give Britain more breathing room” in his first address as prime minister today.
Speaking outside No 10 on Monday, the new prime minister will say that he is “acutely conscious” of being the sixth person to walk up Downing Street in just ten years, arguing that the “unprecedented turnover in national leadership underlines the need for a more stable and responsible politics”.
Mr Burnham will say now is a moment of “reflection and resolution”, arguing the UK must be “honest about the challenges it faces while demonstrating that it can once again be recognised around the world for effective government”.
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In pictures: Larry the Cat waits outside 10 Downing Street ahead of Andy Burnham’s arrival on Monday
(Getty)
(Getty)
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What’s on the agenda for Monday?
Andy Burnham will become prime minister after being named Labour leader on Friday.
At 11:15am, Sir Keir Starmer is expected to give a statement in Downing Street before his visit to Buckingham Palace where he will offer his resignation to the King.
Mr Burnham will then see the King to “kiss hands” and be invited to take over as prime minister.
At 12:40pm, incoming prime minister Andy Burnham will arrive in Downing Street, where he will speak.
By 2:30pm, the House of Lords will take questions on the European Union, learning disabilities and music teachers before the third reading of the Civil Aviation Bill and report stage of the Social Housing Bill, at Westminster.
Cabinet appointments are expected to be announced from late afternoon.
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Andy Burnham must deliver emergency budget to ‘reverse damage’, says SNP
The SNP has called on Andy Burnham to deliver an emergency cost-of-living budget to “reverse damage” under the Labour government.
The former Greater Manchester mayor, who returned to Westminster last month as the MP for Makerfield, vowed to “bring back hope” in his speech as Labour leader on Friday.
SNP Westminster leader Dave Doogan said that Mr Burnham would be “judged on his actions not words” as the UK prepares for its seventh prime minister in 10 years.
Mr Doogan is calling on Mr Burnham to deliver an emergency cost-of-living budget when he enters No 10.
He continued: “While Westminster has been stuck in constant chaos, people’s lives have got worse.
“People in Scotland don’t want more empty promises about ‘hope in their hearts’ – they want money in their pockets and meaningful change to make people’s lives and livelihoods better.”
He urged Mr Burnham to deliver an emergency cost of living budget, and “a meaningful package of financial support for families, to reverse the damage done under the Labour Party government and put money back into people’s pockets.”
Bryony Gooch20 July 2026 00:02
Andy Burnham: ‘We’re not in the right place as a country’
Andy Burnham has told The Times that “we’re not in the right place as a country” ahead of becoming prime minister on Monday.
Referring to his pledge that he will set out a ten-year plan for the country, Mr Burnham said: “I’m not saying that means I’m setting out to say I’m going to be here for ten years… it’s more that we’re not in the right place structurally, we’re not in the right place as a country. I think people can feel that.”
He added: “To be clear to people, it can’t be done overnight. But you’ve got to show people where we’re going, and then the steps towards it. And that’s what I’m going to try to do.”
Speaking about his approach to the economy, Mr Burnham said: “I think you have to rethink how we run things to get a different approach to public spending, and to running the economy – more focused on early investment, early intervention, setting people up for success, and much less paying for failure.”
Referring to his plans to scrap Sir Keir Starmer’s digital ID scheme, Mr Burnham added: “That’s an example of what’s to come, freeing up resource for something that, in my view, wouldn’t make a tangible difference to people’s lives anytime soon. And even if it did, it wouldn’t necessarily make life easier, it might do in the long run.”
Andy Burnham will become prime minister on Monday (Gareth Fuller/PA) (PA Wire)
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