Britain is set for a political handover, as Sir Keir Starmer formally steps down and Andy Burnham prepares to enter No10 as the new Prime Minister, reports BritPanorama.
Following weeks of political transition, the formal machinery of the British political system moves into gear. Starmer’s resignation last month paved the way for Burnham to re-enter Parliament via the Makerfield by-election and assume the Labour leadership, setting up today’s formal handover of power.
Starmer will officially cease to be Prime Minister during the late morning, following his final address outside No10. He is scheduled to deliver his farewell speech on the famous Downing Street cobbles at around 11.15am. After reflecting on his time in office, Starmer will enter a waiting ministerial car for the short mile-long journey down The Mall to Buckingham Palace.
The exact moment he loses power occurs inside the Palace during a private audience with King Charles III. Under the UK’s unwritten constitution, a sitting Prime Minister remains in office until the Monarch officially accepts their resignation. This royal audience is scheduled for around 11.45am.
The moment King Charles accepts Starmer’s formal resignation, his tenure as Prime Minister instantly comes to an end, returning him to his role as an MP.
What time will Andy Burnham become PM?
Andy Burnham is expected to officially become the Prime Minister at around 12pm. Shortly after Starmer departs Buckingham Palace, Burnham will arrive for his own private audience with the Monarch.
Burnham technically becomes Prime Minister the exact second he accepts King Charles’s formal invitation to form a new government—a historic constitutional ceremony known as “kissing hands.” There will be a brief window of roughly 15 to 30 minutes between the moment King Charles accepts Starmer’s resignation and the moment Burnham accepts the seals of office.
Technically, the country will not have a leader during that time, but in practical terms, government does not stop. Once appointed, Burnham will leave Buckingham Palace as the nation’s leader and travel straight to Downing Street. He is scheduled to deliver his first speech to the nation outside No10 at approximately 12.15pm, though that timing may be pushed back depending on how smoothly the whole process runs.
After that, Burnham will head inside to begin naming his new Cabinet ministers throughout the afternoon.
How can I watch it all unfold?
Today’s transfer of power will be a fast-moving event. For complete, front-row coverage, head straight over to The Sun’s official YouTube channel.
The transition of power in the UK, marked by the ceremonial exchange between Monarch and Prime Minister, underscores the constitutional continuity that characterizes the British political system. As Burnham steps into the role, the focus will shift to his policy priorities and the challenges that await his administration.
