Makerfield by-election victory over Reform UK (2026)
Before becoming PM: returned to the Commons with 54.8% of the vote after Josh Simons stood down to make way for him
Prime Ministers · 21st century
Andy Burnham
1970– · British
Labour
In office: 2026–present
Andy Burnham became Prime Minister on 20 July 2026 after Keir Starmer announced his resignation. A former MP for Leigh and Cabinet minister under Gordon Brown, he twice ran unsuccessfully for the Labour leadership before serving as Mayor of Greater Manchester from 2017 to 2026. He returned to the Commons by winning the Makerfield by-election in June 2026 and was elected Labour leader unopposed.
How to spot them
- ▸Mayor of Greater Manchester (2017–2026), nicknamed the 'King of the North'
- ▸Won the Makerfield by-election (June 2026), then became Labour leader unopposed
- ▸MP for Leigh 2001–2017; Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Culture Secretary and Health Secretary under Gordon Brown
- ▸Lost Labour leadership contests in 2010 (to Ed Miliband) and 2015 (to Jeremy Corbyn)
- ▸Promised to be a 'circuit-breaker' for the country on becoming PM
In office
Pledge to act as a 'circuit-breaker' for the country (2026)
His promise on taking office, alongside a ten-year plan on cost of living, youth employment, homelessness and re-industrialisation
Bee Network bus franchising in Greater Manchester (2023)
Before becoming PM: as mayor, brought buses back under public control in an integrated network with capped fares
The 'King of the North' stand-off over Covid Tier 3 funding (2020)
Before becoming PM: as mayor, publicly resisted Boris Johnson's government over support for Greater Manchester during lockdown restrictions
Launch of an independent review of Hillsborough documents as Culture Secretary (2009)
Before becoming PM: helped set in motion the process leading to the Hillsborough Independent Panel
Quick-fire facts
- •Born Andrew Murray Burnham on 7 January 1970 in Aintree, Lancashire; studied English at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
- •MP for Leigh from 2001 to 2017
- •Under Gordon Brown he was Chief Secretary to the Treasury (2007–08), Culture Secretary (2008–09) and Health Secretary (2009–10)
- •Finished fourth in the 2010 Labour leadership election and second to Jeremy Corbyn in 2015
- •Elected first Mayor of Greater Manchester in 2017 and re-elected in 2021 and 2024
- •Won the Makerfield by-election on 18 June 2026; Keir Starmer announced his resignation on 22 June 2026
- •The only candidate when nominations closed, with 379 Labour MP nominations; acclaimed leader on 17 July 2026 and became PM on 20 July 2026
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