Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1221 EAT on Monday 20 July 2026

People in many countries are often surprised that the United Kingdom can change prime ministers without holding a general election.

Under the UK’s parliamentary system, the prime minister is the leader of the political party that commands a majority in the House of Commons. Unlike presidents in countries such as the United States or France, UK prime ministers are not directly elected by the entire electorate, although general elections often take on a presidential style because of their focus on party leaders.

In practice, the only voters who directly elect a prime minister are the constituents in their own parliamentary constituency.

If a governing party chooses to replace its leader before the next scheduled general election, it can do so without seeking a fresh national vote — a situation that has become increasingly common in recent years.

Andy Burnham could choose to call an early election once he becomes prime minister, although he has shown no indication that he intends to do so.

He will eventually have to face voters, with the latest possible date for a general election currently set for 15 August 2029.

Some opposition parties are calling for an immediate election, arguing that Burnham lacks a direct mandate to serve as prime minister, particularly because he only became a Member of Parliament a month ago.

However, Burnham has argued that he will broadly continue with the policies outlined in Labour’s 2024 election manifesto. He also points to the support he received from voters in Makerfield, who elected him to Parliament in a by-election.

Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock has praised Andy Burnham for providing “a real sense of direction” as he takes on the leadership of the party.

Lord Kinnock, who led Labour from 1983 to 1992, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that Burnham had brought “a strong sense of purpose, equity and fairness” to the party.

He said voters do not expect “instantaneous miracles” but want to see clear signs of progress and a commitment to addressing the country’s challenges.

In his first speech as Labour leader on Friday, Burnham said he would not have joined the party “had it not been for the legend that is Neil Kinnock.”

Lord Kinnock added that Burnham was seeking to communicate the message that change would not happen overnight, but that his leadership was focused on building for the future.

A Conservative MP has criticised Andy Burnham, saying the public does not yet “really know” what his plans are as prime minister.

Shadow Cabinet minister Alex Burghart accused Burnham of giving only “a few interviews” and taking “very few questions”, arguing that the new Labour leader needs to provide greater clarity on his agenda.

“We need to see the plan,” Burghart told BBC Breakfast.

His comments echo concerns raised by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who wished Burnham “every success” in his new role but warned that he had entered office without “any clear plan”.

Burghart also questioned the financial implications of some of Burnham’s proposals, saying many of the ideas outlined so far appeared costly and would require the government to identify alternative sources of funding.

“It sounds to me that a lot of things he has floated so far cost a lot of money. That means you need to find the money from somewhere else,” he said.

Andy Burnham is set to replace Keir Starmer as prime minister today, marking a major transition in the UK’s political leadership.

Starmer’s final duties

The outgoing prime minister is expected to deliver a farewell speech outside 10 Downing Street on his final day in office.

He will then travel to Buckingham Palace for a private audience with King Charles, where he will formally submit his resignation.

Burnham’s arrival at Downing Street

In a traditional transfer of power, once Starmer leaves Buckingham Palace, Burnham will meet the King and be invited to form a government, formally becoming prime minister.

After travelling from the Palace to Downing Street, Burnham is expected to deliver his first speech as prime minister before entering No. 10 to begin his new role.

His immediate tasks will include forming a Cabinet and setting out his priorities for the new government.

Days like this are both deeply political and intensely personal.

Andy Burnham has told The Times that his father, Roy — a lifelong Labour supporter who is living with Alzheimer’s disease — does not know that his son is about to become Labour’s eighth prime minister and the country’s 59th.

On policy, Burnham has signalled that tackling the cost-of-living pressures facing households will be a priority. In the same interview, he suggested he wants to raise the threshold at which people begin paying income tax.

The personal allowance, currently set at £12,570, has been frozen in recent years, meaning more people have been pulled into paying tax as wages rise.

Burnham has promised what he describes as “tangible” improvements to ease financial pressures on households.

Meanwhile, the familiar scene outside 10 Downing Street is set for another transfer of power. A gardener tends to the flower beds, a roadsweeper moves along the street, and preparations continue for yet another change of prime minister.

Former Cabinet Secretary Gus O’Donnell says Andy Burnham will receive immediate briefings on national security matters, including the UK’s nuclear deterrent, once he officially becomes prime minister.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Lord O’Donnell, who served as the UK’s most senior civil servant under Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron, said the incoming prime minister would be briefed on urgent security issues facing the country.

“Firstly, civil servants will talk him through some of the security issues which are outstanding, which means they are a problem urgently,” he said.

He added that Burnham would also be briefed on the UK’s nuclear codes and the procedures surrounding the country’s nuclear deterrent.

Lord O’Donnell said the new prime minister would be prepared for scenarios in which British nuclear submarines could come under threat and would have to decide whether any changes were needed to existing plans.

Andy Burnham is expected to make the cost of living a central theme of his first speech as prime minister today, with the issue likely to dominate his government’s early agenda.

Burnham is expected to say he wants to give households “breathing space” from the financial pressures they are facing.

However, the exact policies behind that promise remain unclear, as many details of the incoming government’s plans have yet to be revealed.

Measures on energy bills and bus fares are expected to be announced this week, while possible tax reductions for hospitality and high street businesses could also be introduced to help ease costs and potentially lower prices for consumers.

In an interview with The Times, Burnham also hinted that he wants to explore raising the personal allowance — the amount people can earn before they start paying income tax. The proposal is understood to have been supported by the Unite trade union during discussions with the incoming prime minister.

However, announcing such a measure without clearly explaining how it would be funded could raise concerns among financial markets, which will be closely watching the government’s spending plans and fiscal strategy.

Melanie Ward, Labour MP for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy and a long-time supporter of Andy Burnham, says tackling the cost of living will be among the incoming prime minister’s first priorities.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Ward said Burnham would focus on boosting economic growth, creating jobs and unlocking opportunities in communities that have “been left behind and forgotten” for too long.

She highlighted a number of potential priorities, including a “massive” council house-building programme, reforms to public transport and tougher action against water companies over pollution.

Ward said the government should look at how to “take on vested interests in the water companies” because people are frustrated by the continued presence of sewage in waterways.

Last month, Burnham pledged to deliver the “biggest council house-building programme since the post-war period”.

Labour has already committed to building 1.5 million new homes in England during the current Parliament, although progress towards meeting that target has so far fallen behind schedule.

Andy Burnham will become the fourth prime minister of King Charles III’s reign, which began in 2022.

He follows Keir Starmer, Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss — a rapid succession of leaders that has made the transition of power at Buckingham Palace feel more like a revolving door than a steady passage through the corridors of government.

Once again, the King will carry out his constitutional role as head of state, first holding a private farewell audience with the outgoing prime minister before welcoming his successor.

The formal handover will take place at Buckingham Palace, where Burnham will be invited to form a government and officially become prime minister.

The ceremony was historically known as “kissing hands”, when an incoming prime minister would literally kiss the monarch’s hand. Today, the tradition has evolved into a handshake and an official photograph marking the moment.

The day also carries contrasting emotions. For the departing prime minister, there is the sense of an ending and reflection, while the incoming leader arrives with the optimism and ambition of a new beginning.

-BBC

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