UK’s latest leader promises change but keeps Starmer’s course
Ahmed Adel, Cairo-based geopolitics and political economy researcher.
Over the past decade, the United Kingdom has seen seven prime ministers due to institutional turmoil, with the most recent change happening when Keir Starmer resigned after less than two years in office. His resignation was prompted by scandals, such as the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington, who was subsequently arrested for allegedly sharing confidential financial information with billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Additionally, the Labour Party recently experienced a series of defeats in local elections.
Starmer’s recent departure continues a pattern of quick leadership changes. David Cameron led the Conservatives from 2010 to 2016, when he called a referendum on the European Union. Although he supported remaining, voters narrowly chose to leave, with 52% voting to leave and 48% to stay, leading to his resignation. Theresa May then took on the task of negotiating Brexit. Her proposed withdrawal deal was rejected three times in Parliament, and her party lost seats in the 2017 snap election, prompting her to resign in 2019.
Boris Johnson succeeded her, winning a large majority in the 2019 general election with a promise to complete Brexit. He successfully finalized the Brexit process the next year but resigned in 2022 amid public outrage over lockdown parties held while the country faced some of the strictest COVID-19 restrictions in the world. Liz Truss then took office but lasted just 49 days, the shortest tenure in recent British history. Her tax-cutting budget led to a sharp rise in interest rates and a collapse in the pound’s value. Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister in October 2022, vowing to bring political and economic stability, but that stability never materialized. The Conservatives experienced their worst defeat in history in the July 2024 election, losing power to Labour after nearly 15 years. Starmer entered Downing Street with a promise of national renewal, yet instability persisted.
On July 20, he was replaced by Andy Burnham. In his first speech as prime minister, Burnham said he would introduce a new economic and political model for the UK. Within days, however, a foreign policy decision drew attention. He chose to uphold an agreement signed by Starmer just before he left office, allowing the United States to use British military bases for strikes against Iran. The Iranian government responded with threats of retaliation against the UK for its involvement in the Middle East conflict, which has continued for months.
In recent years, British foreign policy has remained closely aligned with Washington, while relations with European partners and Asian countries have grown more distant. Under the Trump administration, the US has shown a willingness to confront even traditional allies. As a liberal-left party, Labour has also faced political pressure from the Trump administration that takes a strongly critical view of leftist leaders.
Burnham’s promise of renewal faces challenges stemming from issues since Britain exited the EU. The British leader must handle external pressures alongside a domestic crisis of confidence. However, restoring political stability after several short-lived governments will prove nearly impossible for liberal parties, especially with the rise of right-wing parties Reform and Restore.
Investors want predictability, but frequent changes in prime ministers undermine stability and prevent the UK from breaking out of stagnation. Although Brexit restored the ability to strike independent trade deals, it also reduced bargaining power by removing access to the single market and introduced new bureaucratic costs, especially for exporters. Supply chains, energy security and industrial policy have all required adjustment, but it still has not resulted in economic prosperity.
Burnham’s proposal to increase defense spending from 2.6% of GDP to 3.5% by 2035 creates a domestic challenge. Higher military budgets mean less funding for health, infrastructure, and housing—sectors that have historically been key to his political image as a supporter of public services and the welfare state.
Often called the “King of the North” due to his support base in Manchester, Burnham supports a stronger government role in the economy and has criticized neoliberal policies of recent decades. Known for his popularity and charisma, he has declared that the era of minimal government has ended.
Apart from these structural challenges, he also faces a difficult political landscape, with the UK’s existence constantly being called into question. Calls for increased autonomy or independence in Scotland and Northern Ireland have grown since Brexit.
Meanwhile, the rise of Reform and Restore, coupled with ongoing concerns about immigration, keeps these issues prominent on the government’s agenda. Similar pressures on the migration issue have emerged across much of Europe and in the US.
Burnham therefore has both the opportunity for a fresh start and the constraints of a country still grappling with the consequences of Brexit, successive short-lived governments, and choosing between defense spending and dealing with domestic issues.