Trump calls the UK's next expected PM 'extremely Liberal'

U.S. president Donald Trump said that he knew 'little' about Andy Burnham who is expected to be the next British prime minister. He described him as "mayor of "a town", "extremely Liberal" and someone 'who wouldn't likely open up the North Sea for more oil drilling.

In remarks late on Wednesday the U.S. president reiterated his belief that Keir?Starmer should have allowed more oil drilling in the North?Sea, but he refrained from some of his harsher criticisms of British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Starmer announced his resignation on Monday, following the pressure of low poll ratings and bad local election results.

After being elected in 2020, Starmer tried to keep Trump onside by offering him an unprecedented second visit to the UK in 2025. However, relations cooled down when Britain initially refused a U.S. demand to use British bases to strike Iran. Starmer gave the U.S. permission to use these bases.

Trump replied: "I have no idea." When asked about Burnham who has been the sole contender to date?to replace Starmer as Labour's leader and prime minister, Trump said, "I know nothing." I saw?that he had been, I suppose, the mayor of a city."

"I heard he was extremely liberal. That means that he won't probably open up the North Sea." I told Keir Starmer to open the North Sea. (Reporting and editing by Kevin Buckland; Elizabeth Piper)

(source: Reuters)