Newly-minted Labour Party leader Andy Burnham has met with the UK's King Charles III on Monday, the traditional final step in becoming the country's head of government.

Burnham is the seventh British prime minister in the last 10 years since the UK voted to leave the European Union.

His predecessor Keir Starmer announced that he was stepping aside in June after several Cabinet ministers resigned amid plummeting poll numbers and questions about his leadership.

Former mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham managed to win a risky special election in June in order to re-enter parliament. 

Burnham promises to 'bring hope back' in first speech

Speaking for the first time outside his new home of 10 Downing Street, Burnham said that he was "acutely aware" of being the seventh prime minister in ten years, and promised to "make politics work better" than it has since the Brexit vote.

"I know people at home are fed up with politics, I hear you…we have not been good enough, and we need to be better," the PM said, before promising to bring about "the biggest changes in the last 40 years."

He then took aim at the privatization of public services and de-industrialization of Britain in the 1980s, without mentioning the names of any of his predecessors. Burnham said he would present a 10-year plan for a new economic and political model by the end of the year.

Adding that he was aware that the UK is facing a cost of living crisis right now, he promised to put forward a few proposals for easing the situation as early as tomorrow. 

The Labour leader then said his very first concern was to "end rough sleeping in this country" and alleviate the housing crisis, before promising to "bring back hope" to all UK residents.

European leaders congratulate Burnham

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz offered his congratulations to Burnham in a social media message, adding that "Germany and the United Kingdom are close partners. I look forward to working together."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X that: "I look forward to working with you to strengthen the EU-UK partnership. For the security of our shared continent. And the prosperity of people on both sides of the Channel."

Also writing on X, France's Emmanuel Macron said that "in the face of the challenges that unite us, I hope that we will deepen our relationship in the service of our peoples and give new momentum to the partnership between the United Kingdom and the European Union."

Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy, whom Burnham has vowed to support, said he was "looking forward to our conversation later today," adding that the "foundation of our bilateral relations is stronger than ever, and we will continue to make each other stronger."

Starmer formally resigns

For Burnham to officially become prime minister, Keir Starmer had to first formally tender his resignation to King Charles III. 

In prepared remarks as he left Downing Street, the outgoing leader highlighted his role in taking Labour from slumping poll numbers to a "landslide victory" two years ago.

"Britain is now stronger and fairer than it was two years ago," he said, claiming a better economy, shorter NHS wait times, and decreasing immigration.

He wished his successor "every success" and offered his full support.

Edited by: Rana Taha

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