Andy Burnham has been officially declared leader of the UK Labour Party, clearing the final hurdle to become prime minister.The former mayor of Greater Manchester secured 379 nominations from Labour lawmakers, surpassing the required threshold to replace outgoing leader Keir Starmer.

Burnham's victory follows a leadership contest where he was the sole contender, with Starmer resigning after two years in office amid declining popularity and electoral setbacks.

In his first speech as leader, Burnham pledged to restore hope to the public and address Labour's economic and social challenges, including regional disparities and social care access.He emphasized decentralizing power to local communities and tackling issues like the cost-of-living crisis.However, critics note his policy promises mirror those of his predecessor, with concerns about his lack of public recognition beyond Manchester.

Burnham's ascension marks the seventh Labour leader since 2016, with the transition occurring without a general election, as per UK parliamentary rules.