Trump labels Andy Burnham 'extremely liberal' in first remarks on likely next UK PM

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump offered his first public assessment of the likely next British prime minister, Andy Burnham, by calling him "extremely liberal" and suggesting he would not expand North Sea oil drilling.

The remarks came after Burnham emerged as the favorite to succeed Keir Starmer following the latter's resignation. Trump also revisited his disagreements with the UK's energy policy. His comments immediately framed

Burnham's politics through the issue of North Sea oil exploration.

Trump links Andy Burnham to North Sea policy

Asked at the White House what he knew about Burnham, Trump made clear that his impression centered on the Labour politician's political ideology rather than his background.

"I don't know, I think I see that he was, I guess, the mayor of a town," Trump said.

He then added, "I hear he's extremely liberal, extremely, so that means he probably won't open up the North Sea."

Those comments marked Trump's first public remarks about Burnham, as the newly elected Makerfield MP is expected to become Britain's next prime minister after Starmer stepped down.

Trump also expressed disappointment with Britain's response to the conflict involving Iran, although he noted that "Starmer had now gone" before shifting the discussion back to energy policy.

President revisits advice to Keir Starmer

Trump said he had previously urged Starmer to expand oil production in the North Sea and argued the UK was failing to capitalize on one of its biggest natural resources.

"I gave Keir Starmer some pretty good advice," Trump said. "I said, open up the North Sea, go to Aberdeen, which was the hottest city of the whole continent."

Calling Aberdeen "the oil city of Europe," Trump added, "They closed everything. It was terrible. I couldn't believe it."

He also claimed energy companies had repeatedly approached him about gaining access to British drilling opportunities.

"I have had every oil company come to see me, 'Sir. Could you give us access to the UK? We would do anything to drill in the North Sea,'" Trump said.

Donald Trump compares UK and Norway

Trump argued that Britain's current energy approach leaves it paying more for resources that originate in the same waters.

"The amazing thing is, they buy their oil from Norway, which gets the oil from the North Sea. Think of it, and they pay a big premium," he said.

He contrasted the two countries' fortunes by adding, "Norway's got now two trillion dollars in the bank, and the UK is dying, so they should open up the North Sea, and it's an easy one, and a lot of good things are going to happen."

Trump ended his remarks by calling expanded North Sea drilling "among the greatest deals in the world," reinforcing the same issue he used to frame his first public assessment of Burnham's likely leadership.