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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sylvia Hui

Why Britain is getting a new prime minister without a general election

Russia Ukraine War Britain - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Veteran Labour Party politician and popular former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is set to become Britain’s next prime minister on Monday, formally taking over from Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation last month.

Burnham was the only candidate to secure enough support from his fellow Labour lawmakers to replace Starmer as leader of the governing party. Because Labour holds a majority in government, its leader also becomes the U.K. prime minister.

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