Donald Trump has dismissed the frontrunner to become Britain's next prime minister as 'the mayor of a town' who was 'extremely liberal' – an insult that sparked fury in Manchester, a city of 600,000 people. The US president's comments came as Andy Burnham, the former Greater Manchester mayor, stands on the verge of becoming Labour leader and prime minister after Darren Jones ruled out challenging him. But former armed forces minister Al Carns is still considering running.
Trump's remarks, made in the Oval Office, did not stop there. He said Burnham 'probably won't open up the North Sea', a reference to his frequent criticism of the UK's halt to drilling licences. Trump claimed he had given Sir Keir Starmer 'some pretty good advice' to open up the North Sea, which he described as 'one of the greatest oil fields in the world'. Burnham, campaigning in the Makerfield by-election, had warned of 'polarised, poisonous politics' like that seen in the US. He has previously criticised Trump, posting on X after the January 6 Capitol riot that any UK politician who gave Trump the time of day 'should be ashamed'.
“Trump calls Burnham 'mayor of a town' and 'extremely liberal'; Burnham warns of polarised US-style politics.”
As Burnham's path to No 10 clears, speculation is mounting over his cabinet. According to senior political correspondent Peter Walker, big hitters such as Ed Miliband, Shabana Mahmood and Wes Streeting are seen as in line for top jobs. Miliband, the energy secretary, is touted as a possible chancellor. Mahmood might stay as home secretary, tempering Burnham's left-leaning policies. Streeting, who resigned as health secretary in protest against Starmer, could get the Foreign Office.
In a separate development that underscores the unusual political climate, former first minister Nicola Sturgeon is to team up with ex-Conservative minister Michael Gove in a new reality TV show called The Wargame, airing in September. Sturgeon will play deputy prime minister in a fictional UK government at war with Russia, with Gove as prime minister. The cross-party cabinet includes Jim Murphy as foreign secretary and Dame Penny Mordaunt as defence secretary. The announcement came after Sturgeon's estranged husband, Peter Murrell, pleaded guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP. Tory MP Douglas Lumsden said eyebrows would be raised at Sturgeon 'cashing in' while her ex-husband awaits sentencing. Scottish Labour's Jackie Baillie called it a 'bizarre career move' that won't distract from unanswered questions.
The Wargame will air in September, as Burnham is expected to have taken office by mid-July.