Violent clashes at polling station near Zugdidi

Andy Burnham is the new British prime minister. He was appointed at an audience with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace at lunchtime on Monday (20 July). On Friday, Burnham was unanimously declared leader of the Labour Party. Just before taking office, Burnham declared his full support for Ukraine. He said he will speak on the phone with president Zelenkiy later in the day to assure him of continued UK support for Ukraine.. Greeted by cheers and applause as he arrived at Number 10 Downing Street to make his maiden speech, Mr Burnham said he was “acutely conscious that I am the sixth person in the last ten years to walk up this street, the seventh prime minister since 2016.” Describing the moment as an opportunity for reflection, he said his generation of politicians needed to raise their game. “Britain needs to show the world that we can regain our stability again,” he said. “I know people at home are fed up with politics. I hear you, and I want to be honest with you,” he continued, “We have not been good enough and we need to be better.” Earlier, the Palace issued a formal notice saying Mr Burnham, 56, had met with the king and was requested to form a new administration. “Andrew Burnham MP accepted The King’s offer and kissed hands upon his appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury,” the notice said. Mr Burnham is the UK’s seventh prime minister in ten years - and the fifth in the last four years - after Borris Johnson left office in September 2022.