UK PM BURNHAM VOWS TO PUT BRITAIN FIRST IN DEALINGS WITH TRUMP

Read Time:1 Minute, 28 Second

Agency Report

Newly appointed UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he is prepared to disagree with United States President Donald Trump when necessary, stressing that he will always prioritise Britain’s national interests.

In excerpts from a BBC interview released on Sunday and recorded on Friday, Burnham described his first phone conversation with Trump—held just hours after he succeeded Keir Starmer as prime minister on Monday—as “warm.”

The Labour leader said he looked forward to strengthening relations with the United States but made it clear that he would not hesitate to take a different position from the US president whenever Britain’s interests required it.

“The world is changing, and you have to respond as situations develop,” Burnham said.

INEC URGES ELIGIBLE NIGERIANS TO COMPLETE CVR AS REGISTRATION ENDS TODAY

“I can’t say I will never have a different opinion from him. If there is a position that is right for Britain, I will express it.”

The 56-year-old, who previously served as Mayor of Greater Manchester for nine years, declined twice to directly answer whether he trusts Trump.

However, he said he would be willing to challenge the US president whenever necessary.

“You have to defend your own national interest before anything else. That’s what the job requires, and I will always put Britain’s interest first,” Burnham said.

Following their phone conversation on Monday, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that Burnham faced “a big job ahead” but expressed confidence in his ability to succeed, adding that the United States would support Britain.

The comments come despite Trump’s earlier description of Burnham as “extremely liberal” last month.

Trump’s relationship with Burnham’s predecessor, Keir Starmer, was at times strained, particularly over disagreements surrounding the Iran conflict.