Andy Burnham becomes British Labour leader, next step PM

LONDON, July 17 (Reuters): Andy Burnham, nicknamed the 'King of the North', was elected leader of Britain's governing Labour Party on Friday, the final step before becoming its seventh prime minister (PM) in a decade on a pledge to thwart the rise of the populist Reform UK.

At a 'special conference' on Friday, Burnham, who earned the regal moniker for his determination as mayor of Greater Manchester to defend the region's interests, said he was ready for power and would work to offer hope to people in "forgotten places everywhere".

Warning that it was Labour's last chance to turn its fortunes around, the 56-year-old promised to spread power away from Westminster, the heart of British politics, to the nation's regions and preside over a "united" team to deliver the change the country was "crying out for".

"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," he told a room full of Labour lawmakers and party officials.

"And that's what we're going to do, everybody, we're going to give them hope back."

He also paid tribute to Keir Starmer, the man he will replace as prime minister on Monday, when the party will be eager to find out his cabinet team and learn more about his approach to government.

Despite repeating his offer to hand power to regions and to stop divisive briefings against Labour lawmakers who do not share his beliefs, there is still much to know about Burnham's policy priorities.

Burnham said he had not yet decided on his top team of ministers but would make sure it "reflects all parts of our party, all communities".

His victory speech, after a contest in which he was unopposed, did little to elaborate on the plans set out in the one speech he had given since returning to parliament last month after winning a seat in Makerfield, the start of a process to replace Starmer.