Andy Burnham will replace Keir Starmer as Prime Minister today
After securing the Labour leadership on Friday, Andy Burnham will be made PM today
Last updated 20th Jul 2026
Andy Burnham will pledge to restore confidence in government and give people “breathing room” when he becomes prime minister today.
The new Makerfield MP, will be handed the keys to 10 Downing Street later as Sir Keir Starmer officially steps down.
The new Labour leader will become prime minister after Sir Keir Starmer visits Buckingham Palace to 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 before getting the chance to set out his vision to the country from Downing Street.
Who will be in Andy Burnham's cabinet?
Who will be part of the top team in government has been the source of lots of speculation of the last few days.
Burnham says he is still “finalising” his cabinet after feverish speculation over his choice of chancellor, with allies on Labour’s left favouring Ed Miliband but reports suggesting Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will get the crucial role.
Mr Burnham said there had been “too much” speculation and he would announce his ministerial team today.
“I am finalising those decisions, and I will come to conclusions very shortly, and then I will announce those on Monday,” he said over the weekend.
In his first speech as Labour leader on Friday he said the party was facing its “last chance to change” but he promised to “bring back hope”.
First speech as Prime Minister
Having come to the Labour leadership without a contest barely a month after returning to Westminster, Mr Burnham is yet to set out much of his agenda for his premiership.
That devolution process will be driven from Mr Burnham’s “No 10 North” in Manchester, which he is expected to visit during his first week in power.
Promising a “reset of priorities”, Mr Burnham has also announced he will scrap Sir Keir’s flagship digital ID programme in order to focus money and attention on the cost of living.
In his first week in office, the new prime minister is expected to unveil policies aimed at making people’s lives easier.
Reports have suggested this could include action on energy bills, including allowing more oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.
Environmental campaigners have urged him to stick to Labour’s 2024 manifesto, which promised not to issue new licences for North Sea drilling, arguing they would not reduce energy bills.
Mr Burnham could also face a decision on whether to temporarily nationalise Thames Water as the firm struggles with a £20 billion debt pile.
He has already expressed support for greater public control of essential services, and Thames Water’s main creditors have said they are willing to discuss the issue with his new ministers in an effort to agree a rescue deal and avoid the business falling into a so-called “special administration regime”.
The Metropolitan Police has banned the use of "amplified noise equipment" outside Downing Street when Andy Burnham officially becomes Prime Minister.
The conditions are in force between 10-30am and 1-30 pm, and breaching them is a criminal offence.
Music has been blasted during recent speeches outside Number 10.
He has already begun to receive national security briefings ahead of his formal appointment and has talked to officials about his priorities in office and the first events he will go to as prime minister.