Andy Burnham officially became Prime Minister of Great Britain after King Charles III invited him to form a government during a meeting at Buckingham Palace.
Unlike Australia, British prime ministers do not take an oath of office. Instead, they meet with the monarch to take part in an ancient ritual called “kissing hands” (once a real kiss, but now just conversation).
Burnham, 56, arrived at the palace at around 12:05 local time on Monday. His meeting with the king took place in the Chinese dining room. He is Britain’s seventh prime minister in 10 years.
Mr Burnham, a former Labor MP, most recently served as mayor of Greater Manchester before returning to national politics by winning a by-election last month.
He will replace Sir Keir Starmer, who delivered a landslide victory for Labor in the general election two years ago but has since become deeply unpopular in many parts of the country.
Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria smiled in Downing Street. (Reuters: Kevin Coombs)
Earlier, Sir Keir made his final speech outside 10 Downing Street, the prime minister’s official residence, where he said: “My work here is finished.”
“I walk with kindness, I walk with a smile and I’m proud of everything we’ve accomplished,” he said.
Of Mr. Burnham he said: “I wish him every success; he has my full support.”
Sir Keir then headed to Buckingham Palace to tender his resignation, arriving about 40 minutes before his successor arrived.
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