Sánchez and new UK PM Burnham discuss Gibraltar and shared agenda in first phone call
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez held his first conversation with new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Tuesday, one day after Burnham took office following Keir Starmer's resignation.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the United Kingdom's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham held their first conversation on Tuesday, 21 July 2026, a day after Burnham took office. The exchange, which Sánchez described as a "magnificent conversation" on social media, touched on shared challenges, the Gibraltar agreement, and deeper bilateral cooperation.
A new government in London
Andy Burnham became Prime Minister on Monday, 20 July, after accepting the mandate from King Charles III to form a government. He replaced Keir Starmer, who had resigned. In his first statements, Burnham promised a new political and economic model that works for all citizens. The Labour leader moved quickly to assemble his cabinet, naming Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary in place of Yvette Cooper. Miliband had led the party from 2010 to 2015 and most recently served as Energy Minister.
First contact between leaders
Sánchez posted about the call on X, saying the two leaders share "many challenges, values and objectives" and are "determined to work together to drive a progressive agenda for our countries, for Europe and for the world." The Spanish prime minister's message signalled a desire to reset relations with London under the new Labour administration.
Today I had a magnificent conversation with Andy Burnham, the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. We share many challenges, values and objectives and we are determined to work together to drive a progressive agenda for our countries, for Europe and for the world.
Gibraltar and deeper cooperation
Burnham used the call to celebrate the signing of the Gibraltar agreement, a long-standing bilateral issue. He stressed the importance of "taking advantage of this momentum to deepen cooperation" between the United Kingdom and Spain. The reference to Gibraltar suggests the new government intends to maintain continuity on the post-Brexit framework for the territory.
We must take advantage of this momentum to deepen cooperation.
Burnham also added a personal note by congratulating Sánchez on Spain's "brilliant victory" at the football World Cup, a gesture that underscored the friendly tone of the exchange.
Foreign ministers connect
On the same day, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares congratulated his new British counterpart, Ed Miliband. Albares said the two would cooperate to "drive shared prosperity." The parallel contact between foreign ministers reinforced the message that both governments intend to move quickly on practical cooperation.
We will cooperate to drive shared prosperity.
- Andy Burnham becomes UK Prime Minister after Keir Starmer's resignation, appointed by King Charles III.
- Sánchez and Burnham hold their first phone conversation, discussing the Gibraltar agreement and shared objectives.
- Spanish Foreign Minister Albares congratulates new UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband.
The sequence of calls on 21 July marks the first official diplomatic contact between Spain and the new UK government. Both sides signalled a willingness to build on existing agreements while exploring new areas of collaboration.
