Why Britain is getting a new prime minister without a general election

Veteran Labour Party politician and popular former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham became Britain’s prime minister in July, formally taking over from Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation last June. Burnham was the only candidate to secure enough support from his fellow Labour lawmakers to replace Starmer as leader of the governing party. Because Labour holds a majority in government, its leader also becomes the U.K. prime minister. Burnham received support from 349 out of 401 Labour Party lawmakers and was announced Labour leader at a special party conference. He didn't officially become prime minister right away, though—that happened when he met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace for a formal go-ahead. Britain’s parliamentary democracy allows governing parties to change leaders midterm, with the winner becoming prime minister without the need for a general election. Prime ministers can be replaced if one has resigned as leader of their party, or been forced out by a leadership challenge. The next national election does not have to be held until 2029, five years from the last election in 2024. Starmer announced he was quitting as Labour leader on June 22 after barely two years in power, ending a tenure marred by a series of political missteps—most notably his decision to appoint a man with close ties to the controversial figure Jeffrey Epstein as Britain’s ambassador to the United States. Heavy losses suffered by Labour in a midterm set of local elections in May prompted many lawmakers to demand Starmer's resignation. And when Burnham—favored by many within Labour to lead the party and the country—won a special election for a seat in Parliament, Starmer gave in to the mounting pressure to quit. His resignation automatically triggered a Labour leadership contest. Under Labour rules, a lawmaker can challenge the leader if they have the backing of a fifth of the party's House of Commons lawmakers. There was no other contestant other than Burnham, who comfortably surpassed that threshold. This article was provided by The Associated Press.