LONDON, U.K.: Andy Burnham, often called the "King of the North", was elected leader of Britain's governing Labour Party on July 17. This marks the final step before he becomes the country's next prime minister, the seventh in just ten years.

He has pledged to stop the growing influence of the populist Reform UK party.

Burnham earned his nickname during his time as mayor of Greater Manchester, where he strongly defended the region's interests. Speaking at a special party conference, he said he was ready to take power and would work to bring hope to people in what he described as "forgotten places everywhere."

The 56-year-old warned that this was Labour's last chance to recover its political standing. He promised to shift power away from Westminster, the center of British politics, and give more control to regions across the country. He also said he would lead a united team focused on delivering the change that people in Britain were demanding.

He told party members and officials that Labour was united and would use that unity to serve people and communities that had been waiting too long for politics to give them hope again. He added that the party intended to restore that hope.

Burnham also paid tribute to Keir Starmer, whom he will replace as prime minister on July 20. Attention is now turning to the ministers he will appoint and the direction his government will take.

Although Burnham has spoken about giving more power to regions and supporting businesses, many of his detailed policy plans are still unclear. He said he had not yet chosen his team of ministers but would ensure it represents all parts of the party and all communities. He outlined five main priorities, mostly focused on party unity and acting as a leader for the whole country.

His speech came after a leadership contest in which he faced no opposition. However, he did not go into much detail beyond ideas he had already set out in a speech delivered after returning to parliament last month. He had won a seat in Makerfield, beginning the process of replacing Starmer.

In that earlier speech, Burnham described parts of his domestic agenda. He said he wanted to oversee what he called the biggest shift of power to Britain's regions. He believes this would reduce inequality and address anger among communities that feel ignored. Many of these communities have increasingly supported Reform UK and, in some cases, the Green Party.

On July 17, he said Labour could respond to the challenge from these parties not by trying to copy them, but by staying true to its own identity. He said the party should not try to outdo the Greens or Reform, but instead act in a way that is bold, confident and true to Labour's values.

His plan to counter the rise of Reform UK helped win support from Labour lawmakers, many of whom fear losing their seats in the next general election, which is due by 2029. Reform, led by veteran Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, has been leading opinion polls for several months.

However, Reform's image has been affected in recent weeks by criticism of Farage's acceptance of donations from wealthy backers. This may allow Burnham to rebuild Labour's support.

Even so, Burnham will need to begin delivering on his promises quickly, many of which focus on long-term changes.

Paul Nowak, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), said that Burnham's government would need to act quickly and stay focused on improving the living standards of working people.

Burnham said he intended to move fast once in office. He said that the government he leads would clearly set out its plans starting next week, and described the leadership change as the most significant moment in British politics in the past 40 years.