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Keir Starmer about to give final speech as prime minister before Andy Burnham takes over

After his speech, Starmer will formally resign at Buckingham Palace. The King will then appoint Burnham as prime minister.

Andy Burnham smiling  and standing in front of a red backdrop  as  the newly announced leader of the Labour Party makes, his first speech to party members in central London on July 17, 2026 in London, England.

Chris Mason: Burnham is fifth PM in four years - now he'll try to buck the trend

Determined to hit the ground running, the former mayor hopes to maintain the leadership style he adopted in Manchester.

10 hrs ago
Politics

Burnham will be bolder but stick to Labour manifesto, deputy leader says

Meanwhile Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch says Burnham is a "people pleaser", ahead of him becoming prime minister on Monday.

20 hrs ago
Politics

Digital ID plan to be scrapped in Burnham's first major policy pledge

A spokesperson for the incoming prime minister says his government would “put its focus where people need it right now”.

1 day ago
Politics
Lord James Timpson speaks in the House of Lords with red benches seen behind him.

Prisons minister Lord Timpson quits government

The businessman said it was an "honour" to serve in the post, but the BBC understands he feels he has achieved all he can in the role.

57 mins ago
Politics
Two men in orange hi-vis jackets and safety helmets stand behind a wire fence. To their left is a blue and white Thames Water logo.

Thames Water lenders preparing legal challenge in event of Burnham nationalisation

The BBC understands creditors would would pursue payment in full of the outstanding debts, in the multi-billions of pounds.

16 hrs ago
Business
Andy Burnham wearing a white Adidas t shirt and black athletic shorts, running next to Green Park. The sun is on his face

Burnham to promise 'more breathing room' in first speech as PM

The Labour leader will say he is "acutely conscious" of the UK's high turnover of prime ministers, as he becomes the seventh in 10 years on Monday.

9 hrs ago
Politics
Brown roofs and leafy green trees sit in front of the squat brown blast furnace smokestacks and industrial pipes and silos of the British Steel plant in Scunthorpe.

Chinese firm seeks compensation over British Steel nationalisation

Jingye said it will take action "through legal means to the very end" after the UK government nationalised British Steel.

The sun on he horizon behind an oil and gas platform in the North Sea. The sea is calm and the whole scene is a vivid orange colour.

Is Burnham promising a new dawn for North Sea oil and gas?

The incoming PM is expected to announce fresh support for the North Sea from day one of his premiership.

Kemi Badenoch speaking, with a blurred Union Jack in the background

Burnham is 'people pleaser' with 'airy fairy' plans, says Kemi Badenoch

Speaking to Laura Kuenssberg, the Conservative leader accused the incoming PM of not knowing "what the country's priorities are".

FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the stands before the England vs Norway match in the World Cup

Lib Dems urge FA and Uefa to withdraw from Fifa

Sir Ed Davey says Gianni Infantino and world football's governing body is "destroying the integrity of the beautiful game".

Ian Davidson posting the statement of persons nominated outside Clacton Town Hall. He is on the right, has short light brown hair and is wearing a light grey jacket over an open-neck shirt. His right arm is upraised as he puts the long list of typed names on to the brown wooden and glass door.

Clacton by-election attracts 34 candidates

The list of people taking on Nigel Farage contains 20 independents and a number of joke candidates.


Features and analysis

Newly confirmed Labour Party leader Andy Burnham speaks with local stakeholders and party supporters about his plan to deliver good growth in every postcode across the country, during a visit to Gravesend Town Pier in Kent. The former Greater Manchester mayor, who returned to Westminster last month as Makerfield MP, will take over as prime minister and enter No 10 on Monday. Picture date: Friday July 17, 2026.

Labour pins hopes on Burnham reboot as he plans policy blitz

There is belief in the party that the new leader could put Labour back in the political match, political editor Chris Mason writes.

Andy Burnham

What we know about Andy Burnham's policies

The former Greater Manchester mayor could find himself in Downing Street as soon as mid-July.

A composite image of Andy Burnham outside No 10 Downing Street with the BBC Verify branding superimposed on top

Five headaches Andy Burnham will have to deal with as PM

From defence spending to housing - the next UK leader has a series of challenges to deal with.

A montage image shows BBC economics editor Faisal Islam standing in front of a black-and-white image of Manchester's skyline. Islam is bearded with dark greying hair and wears a grey suit with a multicoloured tie and a white shirt. In the background is the BBC InDepth logo and a beige and a red backdrop.

Burnham's 'Manchesterism' got him to No 10 - but will it work for the UK?

Economics editor Faisal Islam examines whether the north-west city can be a template for the entire country.

A black and white and blue image showing a close up of Andy Burnham and a row of houses with a BBC Verify blue logo

Can Andy Burnham solve the housing crisis?

BBC Verify has looked at the scale of the housing challenge facing Burnham when he becomes PM.


Andy Burnham becomes Labour leader

New Labour Party MP for Makerfield, Andy Burnham speaks to supporters and members of the media, the morning after his by-election victory, at Ashton Town FC, in Ashton in Makerfield, north-west England on June 19, 2026.

Can Burnham's casual style survive contact with No 10?

When Burnham becomes PM, he'll find it harder to wear the wardrobe that's central to his political brand.

Andy Burnham flanked by two police officers. There are crowds of people taking photos behind him. He is wearing glasses and a dark shirt.

He'll be the first Andy in No 10 - but his rise to power has been decades in the making

The outgoing Greater Manchester mayor is lining up a third attempt to be Labour leader following his return to Westminster.

File photo dated 04/07/26 of Andy Burnham being interviewed by Sky Sports ahead of the Betfred Super League match at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool.

Burnham does not rule out wealth tax

The expected next PM says he may have to "ask for a little more" in tax and warns of "difficult" choices.

Andy Burnham flanked by reporters and photographers on Millbank. He is wearing a white shirt with a black jacket and glasses. There are trees in the background.

Row after Tory bid to make Burnham face MPs before autumn fails

The Tories have accused Labour of "running scared" after ministers denied them a chance to delay Parliament's summer break.

A thames water van parked on a streert with two workers dressed in orange overalls standing to to the left of the van

Cash-strapped Thames Water poses big test for Burnham

Despite returning to profit after hiking bills 40%, the deeply troubled company is far from out of the woods.


From our Political Editor Chris Mason

Andy Burnham smiling  and standing in front of a red backdrop  as  the newly announced leader of the Labour Party makes, his first speech to party members in central London on July 17, 2026 in London, England.

Chris Mason: Burnham is fifth PM in four years - now he'll try to buck the trend

Determined to hit the ground running, the former mayor hopes to maintain the leadership style he adopted in Manchester.

A police officer stands outside the house of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor on July 11, 2026 in Dartmoor, United Kingdom.

Chris Mason: Investigation into Widdecombe's death rekindles debate over how to protect politicians

Many MPs blame social media for normalising violent language and abuse, the BBC's political editor writes.

Image of Ann Widdecombe on Strictly Come Dancing

Ann Widdecombe's 'extraordinary' character

The BBC's political editor reflects on Widdecombe's life after the former government minister's death.

Ann Widdecombe waves on stage - she has a microphone in one hand and is wearing a red jacket, black top and pearls

Pugnacious, charismatic and she always answered the question - Chris Mason on Ann Widdecombe

Plenty in Westminster who knew her, whether they agreed with her or not, found her immensely likeable.

Chris Mason wearing a tie

Will we get a bank holiday if England wins World Cup?

The BBC's Chris Mason has been travelling with the prime minister for the Nato summit and asked a few questions.


BBC InDepth

A treated image of a close up shot of Andy Burnham

Ruthless plotter? Flip-flopper? Dad dancer? Insiders reveal the real Andy Burnham

Who is the real Andy Burnham? Laura Kuenssberg talks to more than 20 people who know him to work it out

A montage image shows BBC economics editor Faisal Islam standing in front of a black-and-white image of Manchester's skyline. Islam is bearded with dark greying hair and wears a grey suit with a multicoloured tie and a white shirt. In the background is the BBC InDepth logo and a beige and a red backdrop.

Burnham's 'Manchesterism' got him to No 10 - but will it work for the UK?

Economics editor Faisal Islam examines whether the north-west city can be a template for the entire country.

A treated black and white photo of Henry Nowak

The Nowak murder has lit a match under British politics. This is how we got here

The police response to the murder of Henry Nowak has triggered a heated transatlantic debate.

A black and white image of a lectern in front of a red background

Is it harder than ever to be prime minister?

Discontent with the political class is greater than ever - has the UK become ungovernable?

A treated collage of the Welsh and Scottish flags with a close up of Keir Starmer

Relish and dread as Starmer 'shambles' hangs over Scotland and Wales elections

Laura Kuenssberg travels to Wales and Scotland to speak to candidates and voters ahead of May 7 polls.


Watch/Listen

BBC's Azadeh Moshiri at protest site

From hundreds to thousands: How India's 'cockroach' protest movement has grown

BBC's Azadeh Moshiri reports as thousands attempt to march to India's parliament in support of the Cockroach Janta Party's demand for education reforms.

A woman in a pink outfit stands in front of a map of Oxfordshire.

Counties to be split into three new unitary councils

Oxfordshire - and a part of Berkshire - will be split into three new unitary authorities.

Close-up of Kemi Badenoch during sit-down interview

Badenoch: Burnham's plans are 'airy-fairy stuff'

Kemi Badenoch was asked about Andy Burnham as prime minister during Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.

The top half is a woman in a black t-shirt wearing sunglasses and the bottom shows Burnham-on-Sea pier.

What do people in Burnham-on-Sea think of the likely new PM?

Andy Burnham has pledged to undertake a summer tour across the UK during the early weeks of his premiership.

Andy Burnham to Scrap Digital ID

He will take over at Number 10 tomorrow with plans to focus on tackling the cost of living


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