Andy Burnham officially took office as Prime Minister on July 20, 2026, succeeding Sir Keir Starmer. Following his confirmation, leaders from the European Union extended congratulations and expressed anticipation for strengthened cooperation.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen conveyed her congratulations, stating, "I look forward to working with you to strengthen the EU-UK partnership. For the security of our shared continent. And the prosperity of people on both sides of the Channel."
Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, noted the positive momentum in EU-UK relations over the past two years and expressed a desire to "further deepen our co-operation for the benefit of our citizens and businesses," adding that "The United Kingdom and the European Union are stronger together."
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wished Burnham a successful tenure, highlighting the "deep friendship and a collaboration that, over the years, has grown ever stronger," particularly in managing migratory flows and international crises. She expressed certainty in continuing to strengthen their strategic partnership.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz congratulated Burnham, stating, "Germany and the United Kingdom are close partners. I look forward to working together."
While Burnham is expected to prioritize domestic issues, he has indicated a commitment to building on existing work to enhance European relations, particularly in defense and trade. He has previously voiced the opinion that leaving the EU was a "mistake" but stated he would not seek to reverse Brexit.
Burnham outlined his vision for closer ties with European nations, including the E3 (UK, France, and Germany) and NATO. He expressed a desire to consolidate progress in ongoing UK-EU negotiations and make further advancements, focusing on cooperation in areas such as illegal migration, economic security, and societal resilience against threats like terrorism and AI-driven disinformation.
Burnham confirmed that his initial calls as Prime Minister would include US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He emphasized that Britain's support for Ukraine would remain steadfast, stating to Zelensky, "there will be 'no change' in Britain's backing for Ukraine and that he would support the Ukrainian leader '100% per cent'." He assured that "Britain's support is steadfast, it is resolute. It will be there for him, and I will be there for him personally too."