Burnham invites Trump to Manchester in first call as prime minister
U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham and President Donald trump had their first phone call since Burnham assumed office, during which Burnham invited Trump to Manchester. Although relations were tense beforehand-mainly due to Burnham’s past criticism of Trump-the tone appeared to soften recently. Burnham had previously stated that Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would be among his initial calls,which he fulfilled shortly after his swearing-in. During the call, details were not disclosed, but reports indicated Burnham invited Trump to Manchester, and Trump expressed interest in visiting. Previously, Trump had dismissed Burnham as “mayor of a town” and criticized him for alleged pro-environmental policies like opening North Sea oil fields, which Trump praised as a way to boost the UK’s economy. Burnham, who previously served as the mayor of Greater Manchester, had a history of critical remarks toward Trump, especially after the January 6 Capitol riot. Burnham is seen as a potential force to revitalize the labour Party, aiming to refocus on working-class issues and social spending after recent scandals and low popularity.
U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham and President Donald Trump held their first call since Burnham took office, an opportunity the prime minister used to invite Trump to Manchester.
Tensions between Trump and Burnham were evident before the latter took office, largely over pointed comments Burnham had made against the president in the past. Trump was less than friendly in comments toward Burnham in previous weeks, but he seems to have turned over a new leaf in recent days. Burnham had said Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would be among his first calls after taking office, a pledge he fulfilled just a couple of hours after being sworn in.
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Details of the call weren’t immediately made available by the White House or 10 Downing Street, but an official familiar with the call told Politico that Burnham, who before retaking office as a minister of Parliament was the mayor of the Greater Manchester area, had invited the president to his city. Trump responded that he would like to take him up on the offer.
Just weeks before, when asked about Burnham, Trump had derisively remarked that he’d heard he was the “mayor of a town.”
Trump’s biggest change in his public tone on Burnham came Sunday, when he claimed Burnham had pledged to open North Sea oil fields to drilling.
“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! It 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!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
“Such great potential in the UK, but it all starts with OPENING NORTH SEA OIL. WE LOVE YOU SCOTLAND!” he added.
Before his positive turn, Trump had also said he heard Burnham was “extremely liberal.”
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Burnham hadn’t been friendly to Trump before assuming power, with critical remarks dating back years. Right after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, he said on social media that any U.K. politician who gave the president “the time of day should be ashamed right now.”
Hopes are high within the Labour Party that Burnham can revive its fortunes, after repeated scandals and economic stagnation have led to record-low popularity. The new prime minister has projected an image of vigor, claiming the party’s problems can be traced back to its departure from its founding philosophy. He has pledged to refocus the party on the working class, public-private economic cooperation, and a boost in social spending.
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