Andy Burnham entered 10 Downing Street as Britain's seventh prime minister in a decade on Monday, receiving warm congratulations from world leaders even as international media focused on the 'immense' scale of the challenges awaiting him. Emmanuel Macron, France's president, said he hoped for a deeper relationship 'in the service of our peoples, and by giving new momentum to the partnership between the UK and the EU'. German chancellor Friedrich Merz, who spoke with Burnham on Monday evening about continued support for Ukraine, said he looked forward to working together. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said a 'very good first discussion' had revealed a common commitment to 'bringing the EU and UK closer and closer'.
Beyond the diplomatic platitudes, coverage from abroad highlighted the scale of the task. France's Public Sénat described Burnham as coming from 'the working class of the north of England', building an image as an 'everyman' without a tie. Italy's Corriere della Sera said the UK was experiencing 'profound unease, instability and social resentment' and that Burnham's nationalisation plans suggested he saw the past as a model. The Irish Times noted the challenges that brought down his predecessor, Keir Starmer – 'a budget unable to meet desperately needed demand in defence, housing, welfare, care for the aged, and training for the young' – remained, and that Burnham would be 'hamstrung by a commitment to abide by strict fiscal rules'.
“Andy Burnham becomes seventh UK PM in a decade as Labour support plunges to 17% and Reform UK leads polls.”
Burnham's rise reflects Labour's desperation. On Friday, he was 'crowned' Labour leader after being the only party MP to secure enough nominations following Starmer's resignation. For months, he stalked Starmer to claim the leadership in a meticulous campaign from the politician dubbed the 'King of the North'. Via a byelection in the seat of Makerfield, Burnham transplanted himself from the offices of the mayor of greater Manchester into the House of Commons and now Downing Street. Only two years ago, a Starmer-led Labour had won a decisive election victory, but the glow quickly faded. Labour's voting support, once hovering above 30%, plummeted to 17% in the spring. Nigel Farage's Reform UK has grown into the ascendant force of British politics, having established a consistent lead in the polls since May 2025.
For British Labour, Burnham is their great hope for revival. Writing in the Guardian, Tim Soutphommasane described him as 'a more natural politician than Starmer, unafraid of flaunting his northern authenticity'. The central deficiency of the Starmer premiership, he argued, was that British voters wanted change from a drawn-out period of austerity. Whether Burnham can halt the march of populist nationalism remains the defining question for centre-left politics.
