Andy Burnham was formally declared Labour leader on Friday after emerging as the sole candidate to replace Keir Starmer, clearing the final step before taking office as prime minister on Monday.
379 of Labour's 403 lawmakers nominated Burnham, making the result a foregone conclusion after Starmer said last month he would quit following a party revolt and heavy local-election losses.
In his first speech as leader, Burnham promised to restore "hope" and spread "good growth in every postcode," with power shifted from Westminster to cities and regions.
Burnham offered few detailed policies but highlighted social care, economic renewal, more public control of key sectors and modern industrial jobs as priorities for a government hit by falling popularity.
The leadership switch will make Burnham Britain's seventh leader since 2016, with no general election required before 2029 under the UK's parliamentary system.