{"id":594957,"date":"2026-07-20T11:36:29","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T11:36:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/594957\/"},"modified":"2026-07-20T11:36:29","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T11:36:29","slug":"keir-starmer-formally-resigns-as-british-prime-minister-to-be-replaced-by-andy-burnham-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/594957\/","title":{"rendered":"Keir Starmer formally resigns as British prime minister to be replaced by Andy Burnham \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

Keir Starmer<\/a> has formally resigned as prime minister, Buckingham Palace has said.<\/p>\n

He will be replaced by Andy Burnham<\/a> who will enter office preaching a message of \u201cunity and stability\u201d.<\/p>\n

Key reads<\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 3 minutes ago<\/p>\n

Andy Burnham becomes prime minister<\/p>\n

Andy Burnham is now officially prime minister, Buckingham Palace has said.<\/p>\n

British King Charles III invited him to form a government and Burnham accepted the invitation.<\/p>\n

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: \u201cHis Majesty received in audience the Rt Hon Andrew Burnham MP and requested him to form a new administration.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Rt Hon Andrew Burnham MP accepted The King\u2019s offer and kissed hands upon his appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury.<\/p>\n

\u201cMs Marie-France van Heel was also received by His Majesty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"BritishBritish King Charles III welcomes Andy Burnham, during an audience at Buckingham Palace, London, where he invited the leader of the Labour Party to become prime minister and form a new government. Picture date: Monday July 20, 2026. PA Photo. Photograph: Aaron Chown\/PA Wire<\/p>\n

\"BritishBritish King Charles III shakes hands with incoming prime minister Andy Burnham, during an audience at Buckingham Palace, London. Photograph: Aaron Chown\/AFP via Getty Images <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 22 minutes ago<\/p>\n

Labour leader Andy Burnham has now arrived at Buckingham Palace. British King Charles III will now invite him to form a new government.<\/p>\n

\"KingKing Charles III’s Equerry, Major Ben Rigby (left) greets Labour Party leader Andy Burnham as he arrives at Buckingham Palace, London. Photograph: Aaron Chown\/PA Wire <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 25 minutes ago<\/p>\n

Starmer formally resigns as prime minister <\/p>\n

Keir Starmer has formally resigned as prime minister, Buckingham Palace has said.<\/p>\n

It said in a statement: \u201cSir 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cLady Starmer was also received by The King.\u201d<\/p>\n

The UK is now currently without a prime minister, until British King Charles III invites Andy Burnham to form a government. <\/p>\n

\"BritishBritish King Charles III welcomes outgoing prime minister Keir Starmer, during an audience at Buckingham Palace, London. Photograph: Aaron Chown\/ Getty Images <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 31 minutes ago<\/p>\n

New PM appointment offers opportunity to begin new chapter in Irish-British realations, says Sinn F\u00e9in leader<\/p>\n

Sinn F\u00e9in leader Mary Lou McDonald has said Andy Burnham\u2019s time in office will be important as it coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and advancing towards referendums on Irish unity. <\/p>\n

\u201cI hope his government approaches this work with the courage and imagination shown by previous Labour governments during the peace process,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

McDonald said when Labour assumed office after the last general election, she stated her party\u2019s intention to work \u201cconstructively\u201d with the incoming British government to address the \u201cconsiderable challenges and opportunities before us\u201d. <\/p>\n

\u201cThat remains our position,\u201d she said in a statement on Monday. \u201cThe appointment of Andy Burnham as Labour leader and British prime minister offers an opportunity to begin a new chapter in relations between Britain and Ireland. I hope his government approaches that task with the courage and imagination shown by previous Labour governments during the peace process.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we approach the 30th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, peace is secure. The future political direction of Ireland, and our relationship with Britain, must continue to be shaped by the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. That work remains unfinished.\u201d<\/p>\n

McDonald added that outstanding commitments must now be \u201chonoured in full\u201d, including provision for a referendum on Irish reunification in accordance with the Agreement.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe conversation on Irish unity has moved decisively into the political mainstream. It is taking place in the D\u00e1il, across civic society, universities, businesses, trade unions and communities throughout the island,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe direction of travel is clear. Ireland is moving towards a referendum on unity. The outcome will belong to the people alone, but governments cannot postpone preparation until a referendum has been called. Preparation must begin now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"SinnSinn Fein pPresident Mary Lou McDonald speaking during a press conference at Stormont, Belfast last month. Photograph: Liam McBurney\/PA Wire <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 59 minutes ago<\/p>\n

\u2018I go with good grace and a smile\u2019, says Starmer <\/p>\n

The outgoing prime minister Keir Starmer also said that in a \u201cworld now where our enemies will stop at nothing to divide us\u201d, in part because of \u201cour unflinching resolve towards the brave people of Ukraine\u201d, it is vital the country unites together.<\/p>\n

He wished his successor, Andy Burnham, \u201cevery success\u201d, and thanked both Downing Street staff and his wife Victoria.<\/p>\n

\u201cI go with good grace, I go with a smile and I go proud of everything that we have achieved. Thank you very much,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

Starmer has now arrived at Buckingham Palace, where he will offer the UK King Charles III his formal resignation as prime minister.<\/p>\n

\"Britain'sBritain’s outgoing prime minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria leave 10 Downing Street, ahead of making a speech in central London. Photograph: Henry Nicholls\/AFP via Getty Images \u2018Britain is now stronger and fairer than it was two years ago\u2019 – Keir Starmer<\/p>\n

Outgoing British prime minister Keir Starmer said that in his six and a half years as Labour leader he took the party\u00a0\u201cfrom a historic defeat in 2019, changed it so it was fit to face the country, and won a landslide general election victory in 2024\u2033.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cSince then, it has been the privilege of my life to serve you and this great country as prime minister, and I am confident that Britain is now stronger and fairer than it was two years ago,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

Starmer said his government had lifted children out of poverty, reduced immigration, put defence on a stronger footing, and enhanced the UK\u2019s international reputation.<\/p>\n

He said the \u201cmost humbling aspect of this job is the front row seat you get to witness the greatest things of this country in action\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhether that\u2019s in their regimental colours, NHS scrubs or simply the millions of people in their communities who volunteer their time and their effort to the ground beneath their feet,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\"KeirKeir Starmer delivers a farewell speech after standing down as prime minister in Downing Street. Photograph: Dan Kitwood\/Getty Images \" Keir Starmer delivers a farewell speech after standing down as prime minister. Photograph: Dan Kitwood\/Getty Images \"OutgoingOutgoing UK prime minister Keir Starmer issues a statement outside 10 Downing Street Photograph: Ben Birchall\/PA Wire <\/p>\n

Outgoing UK prime minister Keir Starmer has begun his farewell speech outside 10 Downing Street saying \u201cmy work is done\u201d and that it has been the privilege of his life. <\/p>\n

\"OutgoingOutgoing prime minister Keir Starmer issues a statement outside 10 Downing Street ahead of the arrival of new prime minister Andy Burnham. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau\/PA Wire \u2018Podium guy\u2019 has outlasted five prime ministers<\/p>\n

Mark Paul, our London correspondent, in Downing Street, writes:<\/p>\n

In the first indication that a speech from Starmer may be relatively soon, we have just spotted the Downing Street sound engineer known, admiringly and a touch facetiously, by social media and many of the women in the Westminster press pack as \u201chot podium guy\u201d.<\/p>\n

He is the man who has dragged out the lectern for the litany of prime ministerial addresses and resignations in recent years – a busy man. His sculpted physique suggests he probably knows his way around a gym, hence his legion of followers in Westminster.<\/p>\n

The media has identified him as Tobias Gough, a sound engineer with MGi London, who first caught the public\u2019s attention in 2019, while setting up the lectern when Theresa May, the then prime minister, stepped down. Shortly afterwards, he became a social media sensation. Some joked that they trusted him to broker Brexit over any elected leaders.<\/p>\n

He will have his work cut out: once Starmer finishes, he will need to quickly drag the lectern back inside, as Burnham is expected to prefer a more informal style for his first speech as prime minister.<\/p>\n

\"SoundSound engineer Tobias Gough in 2016. Photograph: Leon Neal\/Getty Images Burnham\u2019s father unaware of son\u2019s new role because of Alzheimer\u2019s<\/p>\n

Andy Burnham\u2019s father does not know he will be the next prime minister because of his Alzheimer\u2019s, the Labour leader has said.<\/p>\n

The incoming UK prime minister has vowed to \u201cgrasp the nettle\u201d of reforming the adult social care system, drawing on his father Roy\u2019s experience.<\/p>\n

He told The Times that his father was unaware that he is on the brink of power in Britain.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a sadness because he would be (proud),\u201d Burnham said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe way I look at it, it\u2019s his achievement as well. A whole family achievement although he doesn\u2019t know it.\u201d<\/p>\n

His father was also unaware Burnham had swung behind one of his political passions, a change in the voting system to proportional representation.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cI don\u2019t think he\u2019s ever realised, because of his condition, that I\u2019ve come round to PR, which is one of his missions – to get me to accept that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Burnham said his family, including his youngest daughter, visited his father last Sunday.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were at his care home. My two brothers were there, my mum was there. So, all five of us together, which was a nice thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"IncomingIncoming British prime minister Andy Burnham gives a speech on Gravesend Town Pier, as he makes his first official visit as Labour leader last week. Photograph: Dan Kitwood\/Getty Images <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n

\"MembersMembers of the public outside Downing Street, London. Photograph: Andrew Matthews\/PA Wire \"SatiricalSatirical artist Kaya Mar displays a painting of Andy Burnham on Whitehall in London. Photograph: Alishia Abodunde\/Getty Images \"AA demonstrator from pressure group ‘Clean up Westminster’ is dressed as Andy Burnham on Whitehall. Photograph: Alishia Abodunde\/Getty Images \"AA demonstrator holds a sign on Whitehall as Andy Burnham is to become UK prime minister. Photograph: Alishia Abodunde\/Getty Images \"MembersMembers of the media gather outside the prime minister’s residence in Downing Street prior to the departure of Britain’s outgoing prime minister Keir Starmer and arrival of new prime minister Andy Burnham, in central London. Photograph: Henry Nicholls\/AFP via Getty Images <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n

Andy Burnham woke up this morning in Admiralty House, a UK government building in Whitehall that contains a number of ministerial flats, writes London correspondent Mark Paul<\/b>. <\/p>\n

Tonight, he will go to sleep a few hundred yards away in Downing Street as the UK\u2019s new prime minister.<\/p>\n

He is expected to formally assume office at around noon, and will give his inaugural address outside the black door of Number 10 shortly before 1pm.<\/p>\n

In a break with Downing Street tradition, it is rumoured he will not stand behind a lectern.<\/p>\n

In the hour or so preceding Burnham\u2019s formal appointment by the British King Charles, the outgoing PM, Keir Starmer, will head to Buckingham Palace to tender his resignation and request that Burnham be allowed to replace him. <\/p>\n

Starmer will also give his final address on Downing Street a few minutes before he heads to the palace. That is expected to happen shortly before 11am.<\/p>\n

This morning, security at the gates of Downing Street, one of the one of the most famous streets in global politics, is far tighter than usual. <\/p>\n

It is believed that protestors will be kept back from the gates and amplifiers will be banned, which means anti Brexit campaigner Steve Bray, whose loud musical interludes have provided the backdrop to many big UK political moments, may be stymied.<\/p>\n

Broadcasters from Britain and across the world have been marking out their positions on the street all weekend, following a ballot. Platforms have been erected for broadcasters to occupy and a forest of step ladders are propped up against the walls to give photographers the best angles to capture the transition.<\/p>\n

The Irish Times has elbowed its way in to occupy a position opposite Number 11 Downing Street, the base of the chancellor of the exchequer. Who will occupy that role under Burnham is the biggest decision he will make today and, perhaps, ever.<\/p>\n

Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary under Starmer, is favourite to take over as Burnham\u2019s chancellor. That may disappoint the restive left wing of the Labour Party but Burnham will never again be as powerful as he is today, and for now, at least, what he says goes for the UK\u2019s current party of government.<\/p>\n

As well as appointing his cabinet, Burnham is also expected to announce the abolition of the UK\u2019s digital ID scheme.<\/p>\n

\"MembersMembers of the media gather at Downing Street in London. Photograph: Neil Hall\/EPA \"RemoteRemote cameras are placed at Downing Street, as members of the media gather in London. Photograph: Neil Hall\/EPA \"RemoteRemote cameras are placed at Downing Street, as members of the media gather in London. Photograph: Neil Hall\/EPA <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the biggest job in British\u00a0politics, and Andy Burnham\u00a0has had relatively little time to prepare. Once installed in Downing Street\u00a0as prime minister on Monday, Burnham will need to make dozens of decisions each day, resolve disputes among ministers and act as the political figurehead of the government.<\/p>\n

He faces a long and daunting list of issues, some of which you can read more about here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 3 hours ago<\/p>\n

Make-up of new cabinet expected to be revealed soon after inauguration speech<\/p>\n

Soon after his speech, Andy Burnham is expected to reveal the make-up of his new cabinet, the formation of which has been veiled in secrecy since his ascension to the top job became inevitable a couple of weeks ago.<\/p>\n

There has been acute speculation over who might be chancellor of the exchequer, a role coveted by left-leaning former Labour leader Ed Miliband.<\/p>\n

His allies fear, however, that he is danger of losing out on that role to the current home secretary, Shabana Mahmood. Pat McFadden is seen as a contender for Northern Ireland secretary.<\/p>\n

\"FormerFormer UK Labour leader Ed Milliband. Photograph: Andrew Winning\/Reuters <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 3 hours ago<\/p>\n

Burnham\u2019s inaugural speech due to focus on need for \u2018honesty and reflection\u2019<\/p>\n

In his first speech as prime minister, Burnham will promise to strive to ensure his country is once again recognised internationally for effective government, after a decade-long carousel of psychodrama.<\/p>\n

It is expected that Burnham will seek to focus in his speech not on triumphalism, after his allies in Westminster effectively sacked Starmer two years after winning an election landslide. Instead, he will talk of the need for \u201chonesty and reflection\u201d.<\/p>\n

He will also argue that it is time to give Britons \u201cmore breathing space\u201d with a focus on policies that improve their everyday lives.<\/p>\n

Burnham\u2019s inaugural speech as UK prime minister comes three days after his first address as Labour leader on Friday, when he was officially confirmed in that role. On Friday, he focused on calling for an end to division and \u201cfactionalism\u201d in his party. Monday\u2019s Downing Street speech, however, will focus more on the British nation.<\/p>\n

\"AndyAndy Burnham gives a speech on Gravesend Town Pier, as he makes his first official visit as Labour leader last week. Photograph: Dan Kitwood\/Getty Images <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 3 hours ago<\/p>\n

Andy Burnham will enter office as Britain\u2019s new prime minister on Monday morning preaching a message of \u201cunity and stability\u201d, just hours after removal vans depart Downing Street with the belongings of Keir Starmer, the outgoing premier whom he ousted.<\/p>\n

Sixteen years after first seeking the Labour party leadership, Burnham now becomes leader of his country, which is still bruised by a decade of rows over Brexit and roiled by political and economic pressures that have, at times, threatened to cleave it apart.<\/p>\n

Burnham, who until last month was the mayor of Greater Manchester, will give his first speech outside the famous black door of Number 10 soon after Starmer departs, and Britain\u2019s King Charles gives him permission to form a UK government.<\/p>\n

He will acknowledge that he is \u201cacutely conscious\u201d of being the sixth new prime minister to walk up Downing Street since the Brexit vote of 2016. Burnham is expected to argue that this \u201cunprecedented turnover\u201d in national leadership underlines the need for more \u201cstable and responsible politics\u201d in Britain.<\/p>\n

Follow irishtimes.com for updates throughout the day. <\/p>\n

\"TheThe entrance to 10 Downing Street in London. Photograph: Neil Hall\/EPA <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Keir Starmer has formally resigned as prime minister, Buckingham Palace has said. He will be replaced by Andy…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":594958,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[41],"tags":[9,10,3248,252005,13,14,3428,6,11,12,15,16,1109,5,790,25812,7607,7,8,65,66,67],"class_list":["post-594957","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-world","tag-breaking-news","tag-breakingnews","tag-britain","tag-exterior-view","tag-featured-news","tag-featurednews","tag-government","tag-headlines","tag-latest-news","tag-latestnews","tag-main-news","tag-mainnews","tag-media","tag-news","tag-politics","tag-prime-minister","tag-street","tag-top-stories","tag-topstories","tag-world","tag-world-news","tag-worldnews"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/116952106020447838","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/594957","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=594957"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/594957\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/594958"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=594957"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=594957"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=594957"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}