Keir Starmer resigns, Andy Burnham becomes U.K. prime minister

Key Points:

• Keir Starmer resigned as U.K. prime minister on Monday after two years in office, handing over power to Andy Burnham, who was invited by King Charles III to form a new government.
• Burnham becomes the seventh U.K. prime minister in a decade, following political instability triggered by Brexit and economic challenges.
• Starmer led the Labour Party to a landslide victory in 2024 but faced declining personal approval due to perceived failure to deliver change and controversies, leading to his resignation as Labour leader on June 22.
• Andy Burnham, former Labour MP and mayor of Greater Manchester, is known for his working-class appeal and plans to reverse privatization, scrap digital ID cards, and devolve power from London to regional authorities.
• Burnham may ease restrictions on North Sea oil and gas drilling, a move praised by former U.S. President Donald Trump, but he will face ongoing challenges such as rising living costs and slow economic growth.