Burnham sworn in as Britain's seventh prime minister in a decade

Andy Burnham has officially become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom following a ceremonial meeting with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace on Monday, in what represents a significant political shift for Britain after two turbulent years under the Labour government.

The 56-year-old Labour politician completed the constitutional formality of "kissing hands" — an ancient ritual that formally invests the monarch's confidence in the new prime minister — at approximately 12:05pm local time in the palace's Chinese Dining Room. The ceremonial tradition, which historically involved an actual kiss, now consists of a formal conversation between the sovereign and their chosen prime minister.

Rapid political upheaval in Westminster

Mr Burnham's appointment marks Britain's seventh change of prime minister in just ten years, reflecting the extraordinary political instability that has gripped Westminster. His predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, had secured a landslide general election victory for Labour merely two years ago, but has since become deeply unpopular across significant portions of the country.

Sir Keir departed Downing Street earlier on Monday, delivering a final address outside Number 10 before vacating the residence. His remarkably swift fall from electoral triumph to political irrelevance underscores the volatility of contemporary British politics.

A return to national politics

Mr Burnham brings considerable experience to the role, having previously served as a Labour Member of Parliament before transitioning to local politics. Most recently, he held the position of Mayor of Greater Manchester, a role in which he established himself as an influential figure in regional governance and became known for advocating provincial interests against Westminster centralisation.

His path back to national prominence came through a by-election victory last month, which demonstrated sufficient local support to position him as a viable alternative to the embattled Starmer administration. This by-election success provided the catalyst for his return to Parliament and subsequent elevation to the highest office.

Constitutional differences with Australian systems

Unlike Australian prime ministers, who undergo a formal swearing-in ceremony and must command confidence in the legislature, British prime ministers do not take oaths of office in the traditional sense. Instead, the "kissing hands" ceremony represents the sole formal constitutional act required to assume the premiership, provided the prime minister can maintain the confidence of the House of Commons.

This procedural distinction reflects the different constitutional frameworks of Westminster democracies, with the British system placing greater emphasis on the monarch's role in formally inviting a politician to form a government.

Implications for British politics

Burnham's appointment signals a potential recalibration of Labour's approach to governance, though the circumstances of his elevation — through the collapse of his predecessor's popularity rather than through electoral victory — suggest significant challenges ahead. His administration will need to rebuild public confidence in the Labour government and address the issues that precipitated Starmer's dramatic fall from favour.

Originally published by ABC News