Who is Andy Burnham, the U.K.'s new prime minister?

Europe Who is Andy Burnham, the U.K.'s new prime minister? July 19, 202612:00 PM ET Lauren Frayer Andy Burnham is on stage after he was announced as the new leader of the Labour Party on July 17, at the Trades Union Congress in London. Burnham, a member of Parliament for Makerfield, England, ran unopposed to succeed Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation in June, setting Burnham on course to become the United Kingdom's new prime minister. Carl Court/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Carl Court/Getty Images LONDON — The United Kingdom is ushering in a new leader. On Monday, Andy Burnham takes over from Keir Starmer as the country's prime minister. Burnham may not be well-known internationally, but the newly chosen Labour Party leader is quite popular at home. Who is Andy Burnham? Europe PM churnover has some Britons wondering what has made the U.K. so ungovernable The following is a profile (originally published July 7) to get to know the U.K.'s new prime minister and the journey that led him to the country's top political job. England's north-south class divide shaped his politics Born and raised in northern England, Burnham moved to the generally more posh south to study English literature at the University of Cambridge, where one professor recalls him wearing a soccer jersey to class. "I think that might be quite common on the streets of northwest England, but it's not necessarily a common thing in a Cambridge college," professor John Mullan told the Times of London. He recalled the young Burnham as a soccer-obsessed lad who recited Shakespeare and dated "the coolest girl in the college." She is Dutch-born Marie-France van Heel, and the couple are now married. Sponsor Message The soccer jersey was an early example of the working-class identity that would later define Burnham in politics. Burnham, 56, often highlights his northern, blue-collar roots. Analysts say his upbringing and his time as mayor of Greater Manchester — which prides itself as the wor...