Former Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has officially become the new leader of the ruling Labour Party in the United Kingdom, according to BBC News and The Guardian. As Labour retains a majority in parliament, this means Burnham will assume the position of Prime Minister.

Burnham's election was announced on July 17 at a special Labour Party conference. He received 379 out of 403 possible nominations from Labour MPs and was the only candidate to surpass the 20% threshold.

"All of them [Labour MPs] heard the call of the people... to return to the workers' movement they once knew. We will answer that call. We will become that Labour Party again," Burnham said in his speech.

"I will work on creating new policies. The country needs it. We may enjoy scoring points in confrontation with others, but society does not. When living standards are falling, how can politicians blame others?.. This is the last chance to change something. We must use it together. We need to unite. Stop constantly talking about others and tell people what we are doing. Let's focus on solving problems, not on scoring political points," he added.

Burnham also thanked outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He noted that under Starmer's leadership, the Labour Party went from "the biggest defeat in our history to one of the brightest victories."

Burnham is expected to take office as Prime Minister on July 20 after Starmer personally submits his formal resignation to King Charles III at Buckingham Palace.

Source: www.gazeta.uz