ANDY BURNHAM IS set to become the leader of the UK Labour Party today, only a month after winning a seat in the House of Commons during the Makerfield byelection.

The 56-year-old will take over the leadership of the party in the final step before becoming Britain’s seventh prime minister in 10 years on Monday.

Burnham has won the backing of major Labour figures and has not faced a contest for the role. 

On Monday, incumbent Keir Starmer will offer his resignation to King Charles. Charles will then ask Burnham to form a government – once the MP has accepted, he will be the UK’s prime minister.

Burnham steps into the job at a time when his party has trailed Reform UK in opinion polls for nearly 18 months.

Labour hopes the change in leader will reignite the party’s public support. Starmer has said he believes Labour can win the next election under Burnham.

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Burnham is expected to say he will be “unashamedly Labour” in a speech at the special conference conferring him the party’s leadership.