World

Andy Burnham named British Prime Minister: He unveils his government

Herz — World Desk · 21 July 2026 at 04:22 · 30s summary · 4 min read

The essentials

Andy Burnham, 56, was named Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on July 20, 2026 by King Charles III, succeeding Keir Starmer whose resignation was announced on June 22. Former mayor of Greater Manchester, nicknamed "the King of the North," he is the seventh British chief of government since 2016. He unveiled his cabinet—John Healey at the Treasury, Ed Miliband at the Foreign Office—and promised outside 10 Downing Street "the deepest changes in the last forty years."

Burnham appointed by King Charles III on July 20, 2026; seventh British PM since 2016
Cabinet includes John Healey at the Treasury, Ed Miliband at the Foreign Office, Wes Streeting at Defence
Promises "deepest changes in forty years" in first speech at 10 Downing Street
Makes first calls to Trump, Zelensky, and Macron on day of appointment
Cost-of-living measures announced for July 21, 2026

Illustration image — DaniKauf, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

What we know

Andy Burnham, 56, is officially Prime Minister of the United Kingdom as of July 20, 2026. King Charles III appointed him at Buckingham Palace in London, replacing Keir Starmer, according to La Tribune de Genève and 24 Heures. Burnham is the seventh British chief of government since 2016.

Outside 10 Downing Street, without notes or a lectern, surrounded by his wife Marie-France van Heel, his children, and his mother, Burnham delivered his first speech. He promised "the deepest changes in the last forty years."

The deepest changes in the last forty years.
— Andy Burnham, first speech outside 10 Downing Street, July 20, 2026

His stated priorities: reindustrialisation, construction of social housing, expanded public control over essential services, and tackling homelessness. Before his speech, he visited a shelter for homeless people.

First diplomatic actions

Hours after taking office, Burnham called Donald Trump. He assured him of his commitment to "defence and security" for the United Kingdom and its allies. Trump called the exchange a "very good conversation" on Truth Social, adding that "the United States will be there to help him."

Very good conversation. The United States will be there to help him.
— Donald Trump, on Truth Social, after his phone call with Andy Burnham, July 20, 2026

Burnham also contacted Volodymyr Zelensky, expressing his "unwavering commitment" to the Ukrainian people. He also called Emmanuel Macron, telling him he looked forward to "strengthening the solid relationship between the United Kingdom and France."

Cabinet composition

John Healey, 66, an MP since 1997, is named Chancellor of the Exchequer—Britain's finance and treasury minister. He replaces Rachel Reeves. Healey had left the Starmer government over a budget disagreement, believing the military investment plan was insufficient.

Ed Miliband, the outgoing Energy Secretary, becomes Foreign Secretary. Shabana Mahmood, known for her strict stance on immigration, remains Home Secretary.

Wes Streeting, former Health Secretary, becomes Defence Secretary with a mandate to implement a ten-year investment plan to modernise the armed forces. Angela Rayner, a figure of Labour's left wing and former deputy to Starmer, returns to the Housing portfolio.

Rachel Reeves—former Chancellor of the Exchequer—and David Lammy are excluded from the new government.