Andy Burnham, a former mayor of Manchester, has emerged as the leader of the UK’s ruling Labour Party, positioning him to become prime minister in a few days.

Mr Burnham was confirmed as the LP’s new leader at a special party conference on Friday, replacing former Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer.

“We are united, and we put the power that comes from that unity at the service of people and places who have been waiting too long for politics to let them hope again,” Mr Burnham told his Labour Party members.

Mr Burnham paid tribute to Mr Starmer, who led the party to a landslide general election victory two years ago, pledging to unite the party and establish a “team and culture where everyone is valued, seen and listened to.”

His emergence as the Labour Party leader comes ahead of his official confirmation as UK Prime Minister, scheduled for Monday.

While Mr Starmer joins the list of UK leaders forced to resign before completing their parliamentary term amid a party crisis, Mr Burnham looks forward to managing UK affairs and navigating turbulent party politics.

Born on January 7, 1970, in Liverpool and raised in Cheshire, Mr Burnham studied English at the University of Cambridge. 

He joined the Labour Party at age 15, rising through the ranks to become a potential prime minister.