Ouagadougou: Labour's Andy Burnham was officially appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom by King Charles III on Monday, becoming the sixth head of government to move into Downing Street in ten years. Received late in the morning at Buckingham Palace, the new tenant of Downing Street was tasked by the sovereign with forming a government, before going to 10 Downing Street to deliver his first speech as Prime Minister.

According to Burkina Information Agency, in front of numerous supporters and colleagues, Andy Burnham asserted that the United Kingdom must "show the world that it is capable of regaining its stability." He announced the upcoming presentation of a "ten-year plan" to revive the country, centered on education reform, reindustrialization, the construction of social housing, and the fight against homelessness.

The new head of government also promised to act "immediately to offer people some respite" from the cost of living. He spoke without notes or a traditional lectern, a break with the habits of his predecessors.

Aged 56, Andy Burnham, until then mayor of Greater Manchester, took over the leadership of the Labour Party last Friday, after securing the support of around 95% of the party's MPs. He succeeds Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation on June 22, weakened by his unpopularity and recent local electoral defeats.

Having come to power in July 2024 after a landslide Labour victory that ended 14 years of Conservative government, Keir Starmer submitted his resignation to King Charles III, who accepted it, before his successor took office.

The new Prime Minister will have to contend with sluggish economic growth and high public debt, which limit his room for maneuver. The composition of his government, including Rachel Reeves' successor at the Treasury, is expected this afternoon.