Andy Burnham Becomes UK's 7th Prime Minister in a Decade

Andy Burnham is officially Britain's new prime minister. Burnham formally accepted an invitation from King Charles III to form a government, reports the AP, with Buckingham Palace releasing a photo of the two men shaking hands. The ceremony, known as "kissing hands," marks the transfer of power from former leader Keir Starmer to Burnham. Burnham replaced Starmer as leader of the center-left governing Labour Party last week. He is the seventh UK prime minister since 2016 in a now well-rehearsed handover after replacing Starmer as leader of the center-left governing Labour Party on Friday.

Starmer made a short farewell speech outside the prime minister's 10 Downing Street residence, saying "my work is done." The outgoing leader, forced to resign by his own party, said Britain is now "stronger and fairer than it was two years ago," when he took office. "I go with good grace, I go with a smile and I go proud of everything that we have achieved," Starmer said before heading to Buckingham Palace to offer his resignation to the king. It was an offer "His Majesty was graciously pleased to accept," the palace said in a statement.

Britain's parliamentary democracy allows governing parties to change leaders, and thus prime ministers, without the need for a general election. The next national poll doesn't have to be held until 2029, though Burnham can call one sooner if he wants. From the palace, Burnham will go to Downing Street, where he will make his first speech as prime minister.