Donald Trump has made his first public comments about Andy Burnham since the former Greater Manchester mayor emerged as the frontrunner to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader and UK prime minister. The US president told reporters that Burnham is 'extremely liberal' and 'probably won't open up the North Sea' for oil exploration, adding that 'the UK is dying'. The remarks signal a potentially rocky relationship between the Labour MP and the White House.
Burnham's Past Criticism of Trump
Burnham, who won the Makerfield by-election in 2024, has been critical of Trump in the past. During the 2024 election campaign, he described American politics as 'polarised' and 'poisonous'. After the 2021 storming of the US Capitol, Burnham posted on X: 'Any UK politician who gave Trump the time of day should be ashamed right now.'
Trump's Comments at the White House
Asked at the White House what he knew about Burnham, Trump said: 'I don't know, I think I see that he was, I guess, the mayor of a town. I hear he's extremely liberal, extremely, so that means he probably won't open up the North Sea.' The comments come as Burnham's route to Number 10 appears wide open, with few other Labour MPs being discussed as potential challengers.
Potential Contenders and Economic Challenges
Former armed forces minister Al Carns, who resigned earlier this month over defence spending, remains a possible contender. He called for a 'proper debate' on the country's future and set out 'tests' for any leadership candidate, including spending 3% of GDP on defence, fixing youth unemployment, adding a trillion pounds to UK GDP within a decade, and improving energy infrastructure. Carns concluded: 'None of this is complicated.'
On Thursday, Burnham will be told he must ease burdens on business for the UK economy to prosper. Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, is set to tell the business group's global annual conference that successive governments have 'hobbled' business prospects. Chancellor Rachel Reeves, widely expected to be replaced if Burnham becomes prime minister, is also due to speak at the conference.
Great British Summer Savings Measure
A temporary VAT cut to reduce prices at family attractions such as zoos and theme parks, as well as children's cinema tickets and restaurant meals, is set to come into effect on Thursday after Reeves announced the 'Great British Summer Savings' measure.
