Getting a new Prime Minister in 2026

Kier Starmer waring a suit with a red Labour rosette badge

On 22 June 2026 the Prime Minister, Sir Kier Starmer MP, said he was going to stop being the Prime Minister.

A rule book with a green tick and red cross behind the Houses of Parliament

Sir Kier then set the rules for how the next Prime Minister would be picked.

Labour MPs who wanted to be Prime Minister had to put their name forward.

A person thinking with a politician, voting ballot paper, and houses of parliament behind them

An MP is a Member of Parliament .

MPs are voted for by people in their local area to speak up and work for them.

Labour MPs could start putting their names forward from 9 July 2026.

Andy Burnham, wearing a blue suit and white shirt.

This time only one MP put their name forward to be Prime Minister.

The Member of Parliament was Andy Burnham MP. This means he will be the new Prime Minister.

ANdy Burnham standing next to the King with a speech bubble above their heads.

Mr Burnham will go to Buckingham Palace on Monday 20 July to see the King.

The King will ask Andy Burnham to become Prime Minister.

Andy Burnham wearing a blue suit and white shirt speaking at a podium.

Mr Burnham will then give a speech outside 10 Downing Street telling people what he hope to do as Prime Minister.

10 Downing Street is the place in London where the Prime Minister lives.

A man in a suit with the Houses of Parliament behind him

After his speech the Prime Minister will tell everyone who will be the Secretaries of State and Ministers for government departments.

Person working at a desk in a government office with a computer and books.

A Secretary of State is an MP who runs a government department, like the Department of Health and Social Care , or the Department of Work and Pensions.

Each government department has Ministers who help a Secretary of State run the department.

A map of the UK with red SEND labels and a young girl over it and a PIP benefit graphic

Mencap thinks that some work from the old government will go on.

Things like the changes to Personal Independent Payments (PIP) and fixing problems with the Special Educational Needs (SEND) system.

A mayor in robes next to council buildings and council workers, above a map labelled "my area."

But there will also be new work the government will start.

Mr Burham has talked about giving more power to local areas and people like Mayors to make decisions.

An A4 notebook with 'Plan' written on the cover.

We will will share more information when Mr Burnham talks about his plans.