Andy Burnham has become the UK’s prime minister today, replacing Keir Starmer.
The day began outside a busy 10 Downing Street where Starmer made his final address as PM, before he and Burnham visited King Charles in Buckingham Palace.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “Sir Keir Starmer MP had an audience of the King this morning and tendered his resignation as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury which His Majesty was graciously pleased to accept.
“Lady Starmer was also received by The King.”
Starmer said as he now passes the baton to Andy Burnham: “I wish him every success, he has my full support.”
Starmer said he took the Labour Party from a “historic defeat” to a landslide victory in 2024, adding Britain is now a stronger and fairer country
He thanked his wife and family and his team across the Labour Party, and everyone at No 10 and across the civil service.
“Politics will always be a team sport,” he says. “And I thank the British people for the opportunity to serve.”
Starmer concluded his speech, saying “I go with good grace, I go with a smile, and I go proud of everything we have achieved”.
After applause from the assembled crowd, he got in a car and heads to Buckingham Palace.
A new record number of living former PMs
Keir Starmer’s resignation means there are now nine living former prime ministers – a record number.
The ex-PMs – John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer – are all likely to appear together on Remembrance Sunday for the ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
At 83, Major is the oldest, while the 46-year-old Sunak is the youngest.
The new prime minister then gave his own speech in Downing Street saying he wants a “circuit-breaker for Britain” and bring some of the biggest changes that country has seen in 40 years.
