Andy Burnham has been elected leader of the UK Labour party, putting him in line to become prime minister following Keir Starmer's resignation last month. He was confirmed at a special leadership conference on Friday, with a formal handover at 10 Downing Street expected on Monday, making him the country's seventh prime minister in a decade. The move caps a rapid five-week journey for Burnham, from his return to Parliament via a by-election win to his installation as party leader and, imminently, national leader.

In his acceptance speech, Burnham thanked Starmer for reviving Labour's fortunes and set out five pledges, including uniting the party, pursuing a more collaborative style of politics with a focus on social care, and devolving power away from Westminster to local towns and regions. Burnham, previously mayor of Greater Manchester and a former UK Culture Secretary, has a long record of championing the arts and creative industries, including backing free theatre tickets for young people and establishing Manchester's Factory International and Aviva Studios, a £240 million ($322 million) cultural venue.