Andy Burnham latest: Trump claims incoming PM will ‘open North Sea oil’ and ‘move horrible windmills’ – UK Times

In an intervention hours before the new prime minister enters Downing Street, the US president – a vocal supporter of fossil fuels, who has repeatedly dismissed the scientifically-backed idea of the climate crisis – said the move would prevent Britain from becoming a “poverty stricken disaster”.

Mr Burnham previously insisted he would stick to Labour’s manifesto pledge not to issue new North Sea licences. But he has also refused to deny reports that he is considering approving new production.

On his Truth Social platform, Trump said: “The People of Aberdeen, in Scotland, are dancing in the streets because the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has stated that he will be opening up, all the way, the invaluable North Sea Oil!”

In his first Downing Street address on Monday, Mr Burnham will call for steadiness in government, arguing that the “unprecedented turnover in national leadership underlines the need for a more stable and responsible politics”.

The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:

Andy Burnham will argue that Britain faces a “moment not for triumphalism but for honesty and reflection” and set out a plan to “give Britain more breathing room” in his first address as prime minister.

Speaking outside No 10 on Monday, the new prime minister will say that he is “acutely conscious” of being the sixth person to walk up Downing Street in just ten years, arguing that the “unprecedented turnover in national leadership underlines the need for a more stable and responsible politics”.

Mr Burnham will say now is a moment of “reflection and resolution”, arguing the UK must be “honest about the challenges it faces while demonstrating that it can once again be recognised around the world for effective government”.

Lord Dannatt, former head of the British Army, has expressed disappointment at the idea of Wes Streeting coming into the Ministry of Defence, claiming the former health secretary knows “the square root of nothing” about defence.

He told Lewis Goodall on LBC: “Defence is a complex portfolio, it takes time to understand it. He’s got no background in it. Dan Jarvis has got a very good background in it. John Healey had experience in that role.

”I would be very disappointed to see someone like Wes Streeting coming in who knows pretty much the square root of nothing about defence and would have to start from square one, and that will just take time, energy from people to brief him before he’s in a position to start making decisions.”

He added that Dan Jarvis, set to be left without a Cabinet role as Andy Burnham steps in, “could do a really good job” if given the funds to step GDP investment up to 3.5 per cent by 2035.

US president Donald Trump has claimed that Andy Burnham will open up the North Sea “all the way”.

He posted on Truth Social: “The People of Aberdeen, in Scotland, are dancing in the streets because the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has stated that he will be opening up, all the way, the invaluable North Sea Oil!”

“It is one of the Greatest Sources of quality Oil on Earth, has hundreds of years of Capacity left, with much not even found yet, and will make the United Kingdom, from a Poverty Stricken Disaster, to one of the Richest Countries anywhere in the World!

“Britain pays Norway Billions of Dollars a year to buy its Oil, which they get from a less valuable part of the North Sea — How ridiculous is that!

“Also, word is that the UK is going to move the old and horrible looking windmills, which loom over and destroy the City of Aberdeen.

“That will be a big day for the Country, and will be very much appreciated by everybody.”

Investors in Thames Water have said they are willing to discuss greater “public control” of the utility amid reports Andy Burnham could temporarily nationalise the struggling company.

Turnaround specialist Mike McTighe, who is working with the largest group of Thames Water’s creditors, said UK and international investors were willing to work with incoming ministers to “rebuild confidence” in the debt-laden firm.

Mr McTighe said: “We are keen to meet new ministers as soon as possible to discuss how we can work together in the best interests of customers, including by enhancing public control of the company’s operations.

“We remain ready and willing to recapitalise Thames Water, return it to investment grade, and begin the long process of turning it around.

“We urgently need Government engagement to begin that process.”

The deputy Labour leader was sure to outline what Andy Burnham meant by Labour becoming “authentically Labour”.

Lucy Powell said on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: “It’s not trying to out-Reform Reform, it’s not trying to out-Green the Greens.

“It’s about giving people, ordinary people, security in work, security in their home, a home they can afford, and live in a community that they can feel proud of and.

“Knowing that their children are gonna have a opportunity for the future.

”These are the sort of basic essentials that ordinary people aspire to, want to have, and they want to know they’ve got a government on their side, and it does mean taking on some of the vested and private interests that have for too long governed this country.

“We have seen an over centralised political base, which has meant that too many communities have been left behind, and we have seen an economy that’s been overly-privatised and and that the utilities and the essentials of life don’t work in the interests of ordinary people, so giving people that agency as well.”

Kemi Badenoch criticised “people pleaser” Andy Burnham in an interview on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.

She reshared a clip of the interview on social media: “We all want Andy Burnham to do well but Britain does not need a people pleaser in Downing Street. Andy Burnham can tour the country and promise everything to everyone.

“But sooner or later, he must face scrutiny, answer tough questions and tell us what his plan actually is.”