Andy Burnham becomes U.K. Labour leader in last step before taking over as prime minister

Andy Burnham, nicknamed the ‘King of the North,’ became leader of Britain’s governing Labour Party on Friday, the final step before becoming its seventh prime minister in a decade on a pledge to thwart the rise of the populist Reform UK.

Andy Burnham, nicknamed the ‘King of the North,’ became leader of Britain’s governing Labour Party on Friday, the final step before becoming its seventh prime minister in a decade on a pledge to thwart the rise of the populist Reform UK.

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At a “special conference” on Friday, Burnham, who earned the regal moniker for his determination as mayor of Greater Manchester to defend the region’s interests, was elected after gaining overwhelming support from Labour lawmakers.

The event was little more than a formality before he replaces Keir Starmer as Britain’s leader on Monday, when the party will be eager to find out his cabinet team and learn more about his approach to government.