King Charles III appoints Andy Burnham as the new British Prime Minister

In the United Kingdom, the head of government has changed. King Charles III has appointed the new leader of the Labour Party, Andy Burnham, as the country's Prime Minister. He replaces the outgoing Keir Starmer.

Within hours of taking office, Burnham stated that the policy of supporting Ukraine would remain unchanged. He also held one of his first international phone calls with US President Donald Trump.

Starmer's two-year term ends

Keir Starmer announced his intention to step down as Labour Party leader and Prime Minister on June 22. He continued to perform his duties until a new leader was elected and officially submitted his resignation to the King on July 20.

Following this, Charles III received Andy Burnham at Buckingham Palace and invited him to form a new government. Thus, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester became the seventh British Prime Minister in the last decade.

Support for Ukraine continues

The new Prime Minister also revealed one of his first foreign policy priorities. Burnham said he would speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to convey that London's stance toward Kyiv remains unchanged.

“Today I will make it clear to President Zelenskyy that there has been no change. I support him one hundred percent, just as Keir Starmer did,” Burnham said.

Experts had previously noted that Britain would continue to provide military and political support to Ukraine, remaining committed to its NATO obligations and strategic relations with the US.

First call was with Trump

According to reports, Burnham held his first international phone call as Prime Minister with US President Donald Trump. The discussion reportedly covered cooperation between the two countries, security, and energy issues.

The new Prime Minister invited Trump to the G20 summit scheduled to be held in Manchester in 2027. This signals Burnham's intention to maintain close dialogue with Washington in foreign policy.

What are Burnham's first tasks?

In his first speech at Downing Street, Andy Burnham identified mitigating the cost-of-living crisis, devolving more power to the regions, and reforming public services as his primary goals.

He has also begun forming his new cabinet. John Healey has been appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary, while Shabana Mahmood remains Home Secretary.

The initial decisions of the Burnham government are aimed at reducing economic pressure in the country and redefining the political direction of the Labour Party after the Starmer era. The most important foreign policy signal has already been sent: British aid to Ukraine will continue under the new Prime Minister.