Donald Trump has weighed in on rumoured plans for controversial new drilling in the North Sea, claiming Andy Burnham will open oil fields “all the way”.
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 evidence behind 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, Mr 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 comments mark the start of a potentially turbulent relationship with Britain’s fifth prime minister in four years.
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”.
He 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 is 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.
Mr Burnham is not thought to have spoken to Mr Trump ahead of assuming the role of prime minister, but the US president repeatedly criticised Sir Keir Starmer’s approach to energy.
In his social media post, Mr Trump 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, the president 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 party’s 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 now 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.
Ms Powell told the BBC: “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 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.”
Meanwhile, Mr Burnham has 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.
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”.
Home secretary Shabana Mahmood is widely expected to be named as Mr Burnham’s chancellor over the soft left’s preferred choice of Ed Miliband – but The Independent has revealed that reports of her impending appointment are already causing tensions with his supporters on the left because of her past support for tax and welfare cuts.
