Andy Burnham set to become UK PM as Farage demands election

Andy Burnham is set to become Britain's prime minister on Monday, July 20, 2026, following his uncontested election as Labour Party leader, a move that has prompted immediate calls for a new national vote from political opponents. Burnham, the Member of Parliament for Makerfield, will succeed Sir Keir Starmer, who resigned after Labour's poor performance in local elections in May.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has demanded an immediate general election, arguing that Burnham lacks a democratic mandate to govern. Farage criticized the Conservative Party for not joining his call and warned that a Burnham premiership would lead to higher taxes, continued border issues, and closer ties to Europe. He made the remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in London, stating that the public, not just Labour MPs, should decide the country's direction.

Burnham's ascent follows a rapid political return. After serving as Mayor of Greater Manchester, he won a parliamentary seat in the Makerfield by-election triggered by Starmer's resignation and then ran unopposed for the Labour leadership. In his victory speech, Burnham pledged to end internal party divisions and build a "culture...