Donald Trump made his first comments about PM hopeful Andy Burnham during a meeting with the secretary general of Nato.
After being asked on Wednesday by reporters about his opinion on the new Labour MP for Makerfield, Mr Trump said: “I hear he is extremely liberal, extremely.”
The US president then suggested Mr Burnham “probably won’t open up the North Sea”, adding: “I gave Keir Starmer some pretty good advice, I said open up the North Sea.”
Asked whether he'd like to be first on the list for a visit from Mr Burnham if he becomes the next UK prime minister, Mr Trump said: "No. But I think we're of a different persuasion. He's very liberal."
It comes after reports the former Greater Manchester mayor would establish a “number 10 in the North” if he succeeds Sir Keir.
One person briefed on the plans told the Financial Times: “Andy has big plans on devolution and that includes having an office in the north.”
The MP’s route to Number 10 appeared to take a step forward today as an ally of Sir Keir, Darren Jones, ruled himself out of the leadership race.
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Key Points
- Trump makes first comments about Andy Burnham
- Sir Keir Starmer met with huge cheers as he enters the Commons
- Former cabinet minister reportedly being sized up to be Burnham's chief of staff
- Burnham tops poll as politician most likely to make a good PM
- Team Burnham's potential red flags
Rachel Reeves backing Andy Burnham as next PM despite cabinet speculation
07:34 , Holly EvansRachel Reeves says she is “backing” Andy Burnham to be the UK’s next prime minister amid speculation she could be replaced as Chancellor if he takes office.
Speaking to the BBC, Ms Reeves, who is predicted to be replaced if Mr Burnham becomes prime minister, would not be drawn on reports she may accept another role.
“I’m not going to pre-empt the decisions that the new prime minister will make,” she said.
“I’m backing Andy.
“I think he’d be a great prime minister, but those are his decisions, not mine to make.”
The Makerfield MP, who has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Sir Keir Starmer, is reportedly yet to settle on his choice of chancellor.
Ms Reeves added that “no one could doubt” her commitment to Sir Keir in recent years.
“I’ve been by his side for six years now as shadow chancellor and then as Chancellor of the Exchequer,” she told the public broadcaster.
The Chancellor said: “I know that whoever is prime minister and chancellor in the future will inherit a stronger economy than the one I inherited two years ago.”
Watch: Trump advises 'extremely liberal' Burnham open up North Sea drilling to save 'dying' UK
07:00 , Rebecca WhittakerRachel Reeves’ ISA tax raid could be her final own goal as chancellor
06:00 , Rebecca WhittakerWhen it comes to personal finance, so much of what Labour has tried to do over the past couple of years has had potential.
The execution, however, leaves a lot to be desired – and the latest changes to the ISA landscape sit right in that bracket.
Under new rules announced on Tuesday, and which come into force next year, those who hold cash in their stocks and shares ISAs will be hit with a 22 per cent levy on interest earned.
Read more here:
Rachel Reeves’ ISA tax raid could be her final own goal as chancellor
Watch: Starmer shows his relaxed side now he knows it's all over
05:00 , Rebecca WhittakerRecap: Trump says 'extremely liberal' Andy Burnham is unlikely to open up the North Sea
04:00 , Rebecca WhittakerUS President Donald Trump made his first comments about PM hopeful Andy Burnham during a meeting with the secretary general of Nato.
After being asked by reporters of his opinion on Andy Burnham, the Labour MP for Makerfield, Trump said: “I hear he is extremely liberal, extremely”.
The president then turned his attention to the North Sea and suggested Mr Burnham ”probably won’t open up the North Sea.”
“I gave Keir Starmer some pretty good advice, I said open up the North Sea,” he added.
He said Aberdeen was the “hottest city in the whole continent, it was the oil city”. But since the UK government has permanently blocked new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, Trump claims the “UK is dying”.
He added that oil companies “would give anything to drill in the North Sea.”
Asked whether he'd like to be among the first on his list for a visit from Mr Burnham, if he is the next Prime Minister, Trump said: "No. But I think we're of a different persuasion. He's very liberal."
Watch: Andy Burnham responds to Kemi Badenoch's 't-shirt and a pair of eyelashes' PMQs jab
03:00 , Rebecca WhittakerRecap: Defence investment plan (Dip) will reflect 'the lessons of Ukraine', says Starmer
02:00 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Government’s defence investment plan (Dip) will reflect “the lessons of Ukraine”, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said.
Speaking alongside fellow E5 leaders in Berlin, the Prime Minister said the Dip will “completely overhaul” how defence funding is spent.
Sir Keir wants to complete work on the Dip before he leaves Downing Street, so he can present it at the Nato summit in Turkey on July 7, as part of efforts to establish his legacy.
He said: “The UK is ready to implement the largest sustained increase in defence funding since the Cold War.
“We’ve already taken steps last year to that end, and we’ll take further steps, and we’re going further, working to deliver our defence investment plan ahead of the Nato summit, not just to increase how much we spend on defence, but to completely overhaul how we spend it, to learn the lessons of Ukraine, and to ensure that we are ready to meet the threats of today and of tomorrow.”
Recap: Burnham 'to set up No 10 in the north'
01:00 , Rebecca WhittakerAndy Burnham would reportedly move parts of his prime ministerial operation to Manchester in an attempt to address the UK’s regional inequality and move power out of Westminster.
The former Greater Manchester mayor would establish a “number 10 in the north” if he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister, the Financial Times reports.
One person briefed on the plans told the FT: “Andy has big plans on devolution and that includes having an office in the north.”
Mr Burnham said in his victory speech following last Thursday’s by-election that he would put “a Makerfield test at the heart of British politics”, to “make sure that the places Westminster has neglected will now get fairness.”
The new MP for Makerfield has put devolution at the centre of his political vision in recent years, particularly during his time running Greater Manchester.
In his 2024 book ‘Head North’, written with Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram, he advocates the “rewiring of Britain”, which would involve the decentralisation of power and a more federal approach to the country’s politics, similar to that seen in Germany.
Watch: Starmer ally Darren Jones rules himself out of Labour leadership contest
Thursday 25 June 2026 00:00 , Rebecca WhittakerIn Focus: The reason Andy Burnham may already be repeating Keir Starmer’s biggest mistake
Wednesday 24 June 2026 23:00 , Rebecca WhittakerNominations to replace Keir Starmer won’t even begin until 9 July – but just days after being sworn in, Burnham may already showing some red flags, warn Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson.
Read more here by by Athena Stavrou and Maja Anushka:
The reason Andy Burnham may already be repeating Keir Starmer’s biggest mistake
Watch: Trump advises 'extremely liberal' Burnham open up North Sea drilling to save 'dying' UK
Wednesday 24 June 2026 22:40 , Rebecca WhittakerNigel Farage referred to financial regulator over donations from crypto-billionaire
Wednesday 24 June 2026 22:39 , Rebecca WhittakerNigel Farage has been referred to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) over claims his cryptocurrency advocacy has benefited his billionaire backer, Christopher Harbone.
The Reform UK leader has previously insisted the millions donated by the Thailand-based crypto investor was gifted to him and the party with the expectation of “absolutely nothing in return at all”.
But the Chair of the Labour Party has now written to the financial regulator calling for an investigation into whether Mr Farage’s efforts to promote cryptocurrencies and stablecoins may have benefited Mr Harborne.
Read more here:
Nigel Farage referred to financial regulator over donations from crypto-billionaire
Watch: Starmer met with cheers as he enters the Commons after resignation
Wednesday 24 June 2026 22:00 , Rebecca WhittakerTrump says 'extremely liberal' Andy Burnham is unlikely to open up the North Sea
Wednesday 24 June 2026 21:53 , Rebecca WhittakerUS President Donald Trump expressed his "disappointment" with the UK during a meeting with the Secretary General of NATO.
After being asked by reporters of his opinion on Andy Burnham, the Labour MP for Makerfield, Trump said: “I hear he is extremely liberal, extremely”.
The president then turned his attention to the North Sea and suggested Mr Burnham ”probably won’t open up the North Sea.”
“I gave Keir Starmer some pretty good advice, I said open up the North Sea,” he added.
He said Aberdeen was the “hottest city in the whole continent, it was the oil city”. But since the UK government has permanently blocked new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, Trump claims the “UK is dying”.
He added that oil companies “would give anything to drill in the North Sea.”
Asked whether he'd like to be among the first on his list for a visit from Mr Burnham, if he is the next Prime Minister, Trump said: "No. But I think we're of a different persuasion. He's very liberal."
Recap: Ed Davey calls on Starmer’s successor to tackle climate change
Wednesday 24 June 2026 21:00 , Athena StavrouEd Davey has asked Sir Keir Starmer to tell his successor to tackle climate change as record-breaking temperatures of 40C are expected on Wednesday
The Liberal Democrat leader said he was “alarmed” some politicians “follow Donald trump with policies to send temperatures soaring even higher”.
“As we swelter through this dangerous heatwave, we see the damage caused by extreme weather and climate change,” he said
“Schools closed, travel chaos, lives at risk.”
Sir Keir said the weather today “reminds us just how important” the issue of climate change is, and said the UK should be a leader on it globally.
Recap: Health secretary says findings of report into NHS’s largest maternity scandal are ‘chilling’
Wednesday 24 June 2026 20:00 , Kate DevlinThe health secretary James Murray has pledged not to stop until the families affected had the “justice” they deserve.
He added: “I say today on behalf of the NHS I am sorry.
“I am sorry not just for the failures or the heartless and undignified treatment, but also because your cries of concern went unheard for too long, and so the government will act.”
He said that, having met the families and having seen the report, “I feel appalled by the neglect, incompetence, racism, discrimination, contempt, and harassment that so many suffered.
“And I feel heartbroken to know that at so many times when they tried to raise the alarm about their care they were ignored, sneered at, disbelieved, blamed, and lied to.
“The question... is how on earth could this have happened?”
The Brexit Debates: Has Brexit been good for Britain’s economy? Plus, have your say
Wednesday 24 June 2026 19:20 , Rebecca WhittakerEconomist Julian Jessop and the Independent’s associate editor Sean O’Grady set out the case for and against Brexit delivering the booming British economy that was promised.
Read more here:
The Brexit Debates: Has Brexit been good for Britain’s economy? Plus, have your say
