In his first major broadcast interview since becoming UK prime minister, Andy Burnham tells the BBC he is prepared to disagree with US President Donald Trump if it is required to protect Britain’s national interests. Burnham says his first conversation with Trump is positive, describing the exchange as “warm,” and says he would still “defend your own national interest.” Several outlets report Burnham reiterates that he will put Britain first and will “call out” Trump where necessary, including, as one source puts it, disagreeing with him in public. The reports also note context from the previous government’s relationship with Trump, which some describe as strained. Burnham does not present a question of personal trust as decisive; instead, he emphasizes the need to assess issues and the changing political landscape. Overall, the accounts portray Burnham as signalling a firm, interest-led approach to the US administration, combining constructive engagement with an explicit willingness to challenge the US president when UK interests are at stake.
Andy Burnham says he will call out Trump to defend UK national interests
In his first major broadcast interview since becoming UK prime minister, Andy Burnham tells the BBC he is prepared to disagree with US President Donald Trump if it is required to protect Britain’s nat...
- Andy Burnham tells the BBC he will defend UK national interests in dealings with US President Donald Trump.
- Burnham says he had a “warm” first conversation with Trump.
- He says he is prepared to call out or publicly disagree with Trump if necessary for Britain’s interests.
- Multiple outlets say Burnham emphasises an interest-first approach rather than relying on personal trust.
- Some reports reference a previously strained UK-US relationship under Keir Starmer as background context.
Britain's untested new prime minister, Andy Burnham, said he would stand up to President Trump "if it is right for Britain" in his first major interview since taking power.
1 month agoPrime minister Andy Burnham insisted he would not shy away from criticising Trump if it was in Britain’s national interest to do so.Andy Burnham has refused to say that he trusts Donald Trump.The new prime minister insisted he would not shy away from criticising the US president if it was in Britain’s national interest to do so.He said the two men enjoyed a “warm” phone conversation last Monday after he entered No.10 for the first time.But asked by the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg if he thinks he can trust Trump, Burnham would not give a direct answer.He said: “I’ve had one phone call, and I always treat people as I find them.“It was a good exchange and it was a warm exchange. I am that kind of politician, I will always seek to judge people as I find them.“I’ve lived my whole life like that, and I found him to be warm on Monday, and we will continue to build a relationship.”When Kuenssberg asked a second time if he trusted the president, Burnham said: “It’s a changing world, isn’t it, and you have to call things as they develop.“I can’t at any point say that I won’t take a different opinion from him, that I will need to voice a different opinion that is right for Britain, and I will do that.“My strength always is in remaining close to people, close to the public, that will not change because I’m prime minister.”The PM said he would not be afraid to call out Trump if he thought it was the right thing to do.“You have to defend your own national interest before anything else,” he said. “That’s what you’re required to do if you’re to do this job properly. I will always put Britain’s interests first.”Does @andyburnham trust Donald Trump? pic.twitter.com/dC0zyJKbPK— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) July 26, 2026Keir Starmer initially got off to a positive start in his relations with Trump, and invited him to the UK for an unprecedented second state visit.However, the pair’s relationship had largely broken down before the last PM left office.Trump was critical of Starmer’s decision not to let US jets carry out attacks on Iran from RAF bases, while the two men were also at odds over the president’s threat to invade Greenland and his criticism of Nato.Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.Related...Andy Burnham Rules Out Early General Election: 'I Don't Think People Want It'How Andy Burnham Promised Labour Unity And Then Delivered A Cabinet MassacreDonald Trump Slaps New 10% Tariff On UK Goods In Early Challenge For Andy Burnham
1 month agoUKs new PM Andy Burnham asked if hed call out Trump Heres what he said
1 month agoBurnham said he had a phone conversation with Trump on Monday when he officially took on the role, describing it as "a good exchange".
1 month agoNew UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he may "take a different opinion" from US President Donald Trump and will "put Britain's interest first" when dealing with the American leader. The post New PM Burnham vows to put ‘Britain’s interest first’ in Trump ties appeared first on Vanguard News.
1 month agoI can't at any point say that I won't take a different opinion from him, that I will need to voice a different idea that is right for Britain. And I will do that, says U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham
1 month ago
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