The most consequential event this week, UK-side, will be Andy Burnham’s accession as Prime Minister, an office he has sought to take from Keir Starmer for some time. The tide turned in Burnham’s favour following his victory in the Makerfield by-election – a seat vacated to get him to No 10.
Burnham had said in 2009 that three things were important in his life apart from his family: Everton, the Labour Party and the Catholic Church “in that order”. His views differ with the Church on a number of issues, though in 2023 he did give Pope Francis a signed Manchester United shirt, who counted Burnham among his fans. Despite not being particularly devoted, Britain’s seventh Prime in 10 years will be denominationally Catholic, which will make for two unprecedented starts to his tenure.
