Donald Trump has weighed into the row over controversial drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea on the eve of Andy Burnham becoming prime minister, claiming the new UK leader will open oil fields “all the way”.
In what appears to be yet another dig at Sir Keir Starmer, the US president, a vocal supporter of fossil fuels who has repeatedly dismissed the scientifically-backed idea of the climate crisis, claimed the plans would prevent Britain from becoming a “poverty stricken disaster”.
The incoming prime minister, who will enter Downing Street on Monday, has insisted he would stick to Labour’s manifesto pledge not to issue new North Sea licences. He also has refused to confirm reports that he is considering approving new fossil fuel production.
But on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, 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!”
The US president’s significant intervention marks the beginning of a potentially turbulent relationship between him and the new prime minister.
Mr Burnham will become Britain’s fifth prime minister in four years after a nearly year long behind-the-scenes battle to return to government.
In his first Downing Street address, he 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”.
He will say 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 enters office amid growing speculation over his Cabinet picks and questions over which policies will make up his plan for government.
While his pitch for power has so far been thin on detail, he understood to be keen to unveil a blitz of policies as part of an attempt to reset the dial and capitalise on what is expected to be a short honeymoon period after he assumes office.
He is not thought to have spoken to Trump ahead of assuming role of prime minister, but the US president repeatedly criticised Sir Keir over his approach to energy.
In his Sunday social media post, he wrote: “[The North Sea] 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!”
And in his latest attack on wind power he suggested the UK would “move the old and horrible looking windmills, which loom over and destroy the City of Aberdeen”.
It comes despite Labour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell saying there would be no break with the manifesto under Mr Burnham, instead dubbing his plans for the North Sea a “change in emphasis” as he weighs up approving further oil and gas drilling.
Labour’s 2024 manifesto, which the Makerfield MP has promised to honour, said the party would not issue new North Sea licences, arguing they would “not take a penny off bills” or improve energy security while accelerating climate change. But the incoming prime minister is said to be “open-minded” about the policy.
Mr Burnham could claim not to be breaking the manifesto pledge by approving projects at the Jackdaw and Rosebank fields, where licences have already been granted.
Speaking to the BBC on Sunday about Mr Burnham’s plans for the North Sea, Ms Powell said: “I think what Andy’s talking about is taking a more pragmatic approach and working with the industry to make sure that it can contribute to that transition and to the the mix that is needed over the long term. So let’s see what he’s got to say about that. But I don’t think it’s a change of policy. It’s more a change of emphasis.”
Amid reports of a change in policy on North Sea oil, Mr Burnham this weekend announced plans to scrap Sir Keir’s flagship digital ID programme, describing the move as a “reset of priorities” as money earmarked for implementing digital ID will be redirected to more “tangible” improvements to people’s lives.
However, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch criticised Mr Burnham for not setting out more of his plans before Monday, describing his comments so far as “airy-fairy stuff”.
The Conservative leader told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg she thought Mr Burnham was “a people pleaser” rather than someone who would make “tough decisions”.
It comes as questions remain over the incoming prime minister’s pick for his top Cabinet positions.
Home secretary Shabana Mahmood is now widely expected to be named as Mr Burnham’s chancellor on Monday over the soft left’s choice Ed Miliband – but over the weekend The Independent revealed that reports of her impending appointment is already causing tensions with his supporters on the left because of her past support for tax and welfare cuts.
