Andy Burnham takes office as British PM, unveils new cabinet

Andy Burnham and his wife wave to the crowd outside 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, July 20, 2026. British Labour Party leader Andy Burnham officially became Britain's prime minister on Monday after King Charles III invited him to form a government. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Burnham pledged to transfer power from Westminster to communities across the country, re-industrialize Britain through public procurement and put essential services under stronger public control.

LONDON, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Britain ushered in a new prime minister and cabinet on Monday as Labour leader Andy Burnham took office and named his top team, pledging sweeping political and economic changes.

Burnham officially became Britain's prime minister after King Charles III invited him to form a government at Buckingham Palace. He succeeded Keir Starmer, who earlier tendered his resignation to the King.

Burnham later delivered his first speech as prime minister outside 10 Downing Street. Noting that he was the seventh British prime minister since 2016, he acknowledged that politicians had "not been good enough" and pledged to do better.

"We will make this moment a circuit breaker for Britain, bringing forward the biggest changes in the last 40 years, a new political model and a new economic model," he said.

Burnham said his government would make politics "more collaborative" and focused on "problem solving" rather than "point scoring." He also pledged to transfer power from Westminster to communities across the country, re-industrialize Britain through public procurement and put essential services under stronger public control.

Andy Burnham delivers his first speech as British prime minister outside 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, July 20, 2026. British Labour Party leader Andy Burnham officially became Britain's prime minister on Monday after King Charles III invited him to form a government. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

According to him, cost-of-living measures would begin to be announced on Tuesday, while a 10-year plan for Britain would be unveiled later this year.

Hours after taking office, Burnham formed his new cabinet, appointing former Defense Secretary John Healey as chancellor of the exchequer, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

Healey resigned as defense secretary last month following disagreements over the previous government's defense spending plans. British media described his appointment as chancellor of the exchequer as an unexpected move.

Healey replaced Rachel Reeves, who had served as chancellor throughout Starmer's premiership. The official appointments list showed that Reeves had left the government.

Ed Miliband was appointed foreign secretary, while Shabana Mahmood remained as home secretary. Louise Haigh was named first secretary of state, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and minister for the Cabinet Office. Yvette Cooper was appointed health secretary, while Pat McFadden remained as work and pensions secretary.

Andy Burnham arrives at a special conference of the Labour Party in London, Britain, on July 17, 2026. Britain's Labour Party announced Friday that Andy Burnham has been confirmed as its leader. Burnham, former mayor of Greater Manchester, is expected to be appointed prime minister on Monday after Keir Starmer formally steps down, in accordance with established procedure. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua)

Angela Rayner returned to the cabinet as secretary of state for housing, communities and local government. Rayner resigned as deputy prime minister, housing secretary and Labour deputy leader in September 2025 after an independent standards adviser found that she had breached the ministerial code over an underpayment of property tax on a home purchase.

Jonathan Reynolds was appointed secretary of state for business, innovation, science and trade, while former Health Secretary Wes Streeting became defense secretary. Streeting was regarded as a potential contender to succeed Starmer but opted not to enter the Labour leadership race and instead backed Burnham.

Burnham previously served as culture secretary, health secretary and mayor of Greater Manchester. After unsuccessful bids for the Labour leadership in 2010 and 2015, he returned to the House of Commons by winning the Makerfield by-election on June 19 and was elected Labour leader on July 17.

Keir Starmer delivers a farewell speech outside 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, July 20, 2026. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer tendered his resignation to King Charles III at Buckingham Palace on Monday after delivering a farewell speech outside 10 Downing Street. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Labour Party suffered heavy losses in local elections in May, prompting growing calls within the party for Starmer to step down. Starmer announced on June 22 that he would resign as Labour leader and leave office as prime minister once a successor had been chosen.

Now Burnham's new cabinet has to face challenges that Starmer failed to overcome, including weak economic growth, strained public services, high living costs and an increasingly fragmented political landscape.