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In his inaugural in-depth interview as prime minister, Andy Burnham expressed a willingness to confront Donald Trump if necessary, emphasizing that defending Britain’s national interests takes precedence over all else. Speaking exclusively with the BBC, Burnham described his initial interaction with the former US president as “really warm.” However, when pressed twice on whether he could trust Trump, Burnham refrained from a direct answer, noting the fluid nature of global affairs and the need to respond dynamically as situations unfold.
Burnham made it clear that he would not hesitate to disagree publicly with Trump if it was in Britain’s best interest, stating, “I can’t at any point say that I won’t take a different opinion from him [Trump], that I will need to voice a different idea that is right for Britain.” He underscored that staying connected to the public is a strength of his leadership style and assured that this approach will continue during his time as prime minister. When asked if he would call out Trump when required, Burnham was unequivocal: “of course,” adding, “You have to defend your own national interest before anything else. That’s what you’re required to do if you’re to do this job properly.”
Regarding concerns over US actions, Burnham acknowledged his unease about Trump’s role in escalating tensions with Iran, affirming that he would express his views openly if needed. On the topic of defence spending, Burnham avoided committing to a specific timeline for the government to allocate 3% of GDP to defence—a target his Chancellor, John Healey, had made a condition for his own resignation from the previous administration. Nonetheless, Burnham stated that he appointed Healey with full awareness of his stance on defence expenditure and underscored their shared priority: “The first challenge facing us both is to ensure that the defence investment plan is fully funded.”
When prompted again about the 3% GDP defence spending commitment, Burnham responded, “We’ve got to work out the way of doing that,” signaling ongoing discussions rather than an immediate pledge. Additionally, he ruled out the possibility of an early general election before 2029, saying, “I’m going to rule it out… I don’t think people want it.” Instead, he voiced a determination to focus on restoring the country to a proper state
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