- Andy Burnham is positioned to succeed Keir Starmer as prime minister following Starmer’s resignation.
- Burnham backed making Manchester a Web3 powerhouse, calling blockchain a driver of economic growth.
- His leadership could push crypto-friendly rules, blockchain adoption, and attract more Web3 investment.
Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester and a former United Kingdom (UK) cabinet minister, is set to succeed Keir Starmer as the UK Prime Minister following Starmer’s resignation. Burnham has publicly supported transforming Manchester into a Web3 powerhouse and is viewed as more innovation-friendly on blockchain than his predecessor.
Andy Burnham Poised to Become UK’s New Prime Minister
As of July 20, 2026, Andy Burnham has become the UK’s Prime Minister. Burnham was formally appointed after Keir Starmer resigned and tendered his resignation to King Charles III. Burnham, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester (often called the “King of the North”), was elected unopposed as Labour Party leader on July 17, 2026, following a swift internal process.
Burnham was re-elected to Parliament through a by-election at Makerfield on 18th June 2026, with approximately 55% of the vote. This move positioned him to challenge Starmer amid growing Labour discontent over slumping polls, local election losses, including heavy defeats to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, ministerial resignations, and perceptions of weak leadership. This makes Burnham Britain’s seventh Prime Minister within a decade.
Burnham’s Push to Make Manchester a Web3 Powerhouse
In the crypto and blockchain sector, Burnham stands out as one of Labour’s most supportive senior figures. He has long championed transforming Greater Manchester into a “Web3 powerhouse,” drawing parallels between the city’s Industrial Revolution heritage and a potential new digital revolution.
For example, speaking at a Manchester Blockchain Alliance and Stand With Crypto event in 2024, Burnham told founders, “I’m bought in,” committing to job opportunities, innovation and economic growth. He described Web3 as a disruptive trend that could align with Manchester’s industrial heritage, by combining economic prosperity with social values.
What’s Next for UK Crypto Under Burnham?
Andy Burnham’s ascension to Prime Minister has sparked cautious optimism across the UK crypto sector. Industry executives view him as more receptive to digital assets and blockchain than much of the previous Labour leadership, citing his longstanding support for Web3 innovation in Greater Manchester.
However, Burnham takes office amid significant economic and political challenges. In an era of weak economic expansion, strained public services, growing pressures to increase defence spending, and falling public support for Labour, he will have to balance pro-innovation measures with macro-economic considerations and prove that his regional appeal can yield concrete results.
Against this backdrop, analysts expect a more positive tone toward crypto as a source of investment, jobs, and innovation, particularly in northern England. While the Financial Conduct Authority’s 2027 crypto rulebook remains on track, industry participants hope Burnham’s government will adopt a more growth-oriented approach that encourages innovation without compromising regulatory oversight.
Related: Keir Starmer Resigns as UK PM With Andy Burnham Eyed as Successor
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