Andy Burnham becomes Labour Party leader and next British prime minister

Andy Burnham became Labour Party leader on Friday, July 17, in London. He will become Britain's 59th prime minister on Monday, when King Charles III asks him to form a government.

Burnham was the only candidate to replace Keir Starmer, who left office after losing support within his own party. Hundreds of MPs and several trade unions backed Burnham. He was confirmed at a special party conference in central London.

Burnham previously ran Greater Manchester as its mayor. He won a parliamentary seat about a month before becoming leader.