The U.K. has a new prime minister, Andy Burnham. Burnham becomes the country’s seventh prime minister in the past decade.
Burnham easily took over the leadership following the resignation of Keir Starmer last month. He was a longtime Labour MP from 2001 until 2017 and was most recently the mayor of Greater Manchester until earlier this year. He re-entered Parliament via byelection a few weeks ahead of Starmer’s resignation, ran essentially uncontested for leadership of the governing Labour Party and officially became prime minister on July 20.
While there’s lots to be said about what his leadership means for the U.K., he also takes office at a key moment for LGBTQ+ rights.
Burnham has long been heralded as a queer ally and has been vocal about his support for trans rights. But recent statements, and the makeup of his first cabinet, suggest that some of those views may be complicated.
We break down what you need to know.
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