Andy Burnham as new UK PM faces the defining test for the centre-left. Australia will be watching closely | Tim Soutphommasane

Politics The Guardian By Tim Soutphommasane 21 Jul 2026 02:00 1 min read

Countering the populist challenge to liberal democracy requires something of a reset The British love a coronation. That’s how the arrival of Andy Burnham into 10 Downing Street is being described in the UK. On Friday, Burnham was “crowned” as Labour leader, after being the only party MP to secure enough nominations following Keir Starmer’s resignation. He is now confirmed as Britain’s prime minister. Australians probably would call this something else: a leadership coup. For months, Burnham sta

Countering the populist challenge to liberal democracy requires something of a reset

The British love a coronation. That’s how the arrival of Andy Burnham into 10 Downing Street is being described in the UK. On Friday, Burnham was “crowned” as Labour leader, after being the only party MP to secure enough nominations following Keir Starmer’s resignation. He is now confirmed as Britain’s prime minister.

Australians probably would call this something else: a leadership coup. For months, Burnham stalked Starmer to claim the Labour leadership. It was a meticulous campaign from the politician dubbed the “King of the North”. Via a byelection in the seat of Makerfield, Burnham has transplanted himself from the offices of the mayor of greater Manchester into the House of Commons and now Downing Street.

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