Donald Trump has claimed that Andy Burnham “will be opening up, all the way, the invaluable North Sea Oil” and move the “horrible looking windmills”.
The celebratory post on TruthSocial claimed that the people of Scotland were “dancing in the streets” over the incumbent prime minister’s alleged position change on the North Sea, which is yet to be confirmed.
His comments came just hours ahead of Mr Burnham’s first day in Downing Street. The former Manchester mayor is expected to address the nation on Monday afternoon after meeting with the King in Buckingham Palace.
Mr Burnham is expected to characterise the moment as one of “reflection and resolution”, arguing Britain must be honest about the challenges it faces and demonstrate it can solve them.
And he will say he is “acutely conscious” that the UK has had seven prime ministers over the last 10 years, and stress the need for more stable and responsible politics.
Key Points
- Andy Burnham: 'We're not in the right place as a country'
- Donald Trump claims Burnham will open up the North Sea 'all the way'
- Revealed: Details of Burnham's first Downing Street address
- 'Privatisation of water hasn't worked', says Lucy Powell
- Burnham plots Foreign Office shake up
Everything you need to know as Andy Burnham set to become PM within hours
07:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Andy Burnham is set to become prime minister in just a few hours after what has been a rather unconventional rise to the top.
The Makerfield MP was only elected back into Parliament just over one month ago, leaving behind his long-held role as mayor of Greater Manchester.
It isn’t his first time in Westminster - he previously served in Gordon Brown’s cabinet before standing down to run as mayor of Greater Manchester.
Now, a decade later, he will hope to use that experience in the rapidly growing city-region to run the country.
Mr Burnham will be coronated as prime minister this afternoon after Sir Keir Starmer formally resigns to the King.
What happens next - including his picks for his cabinet - remains to be seen.
What will Andy Burnham say as he becomes prime minister?
06:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Andy Burnham is set to argue that Britain faces a “moment not for triumphalism but for honesty and reflection” and set out a plan to “give Britain more breathing room” in his first address as prime minister today.
Speaking outside No 10 on Monday, the new prime minister will say that he is "acutely conscious" of being the sixth person to walk up Downing Street in just ten years, arguing that the “unprecedented turnover in national leadership underlines the need for a more stable and responsible politics”.
Mr Burnham will say now is a moment of "reflection and resolution", arguing the UK must be "honest about the challenges it faces while demonstrating that it can once again be recognised around the world for effective government".
Boris Johnson clashes with Trevor Phillips over his behaviour as PM
05:00 , Bryony Gooch
Boris Johnson clashes with Trevor Phillips over his behaviour as prime minister
In pictures: Larry the Cat waits outside 10 Downing Street ahead of Andy Burnham's arrival on Monday
04:00 , Bryony Gooch
Watch: How much do the public really know about their new PM Andy Burnham?
03:00 , Bryony Gooch
What are Andy Burnham’s key policies?
02:00 , Bryony Gooch
What are Andy Burnham’s key policies?
What's on the agenda for Monday?
01:00 , Bryony Gooch
Andy Burnham will become prime minister after being named Labour leader on Friday.
At 11:15am, Sir Keir Starmer is expected to give a statement in Downing Street before his visit to Buckingham Palace where he will offer his resignation to the King.
Mr Burnham will then see the King to “kiss hands” and be invited to take over as prime minister.
At 12:40pm, incoming prime minister Andy Burnham will arrive in Downing Street, where he will speak.
By 2:30pm, the House of Lords will take questions on the European Union, learning disabilities and music teachers before the third reading of the Civil Aviation Bill and report stage of the Social Housing Bill, at Westminster.
Cabinet appointments are expected to be announced from late afternoon.
Andy Burnham must deliver emergency budget to ‘reverse damage’, says SNP
00:02 , Bryony Gooch
The SNP has called on Andy Burnham to deliver an emergency cost-of-living budget to “reverse damage” under the Labour government.
The former Greater Manchester mayor, who returned to Westminster last month as the MP for Makerfield, vowed to “bring back hope” in his speech as Labour leader on Friday.
SNP Westminster leader Dave Doogan said that Mr Burnham would be “judged on his actions not words” as the UK prepares for its seventh prime minister in 10 years.
Mr Doogan is calling on Mr Burnham to deliver an emergency cost-of-living budget when he enters No 10.
He continued: “While Westminster has been stuck in constant chaos, people’s lives have got worse.
“People in Scotland don’t want more empty promises about ‘hope in their hearts’ – they want money in their pockets and meaningful change to make people’s lives and livelihoods better.”
He urged Mr Burnham to deliver an emergency cost of living budget, and “a meaningful package of financial support for families, to reverse the damage done under the Labour Party government and put money back into people’s pockets.”
Andy Burnham: 'We're not in the right place as a country'
23:10 , Holly Bancroft
Andy Burnham has told The Times that “we’re not in the right place as a country” ahead of becoming prime minister on Monday.
Referring to his pledge that he will set out a ten-year plan for the country, Mr Burnham said: “I’m not saying that means I’m setting out to say I’m going to be here for ten years... it’s more that we’re not in the right place structurally, we’re not in the right place as a country. I think people can feel that.”
He added: “To be clear to people, it can’t be done overnight. But you’ve got to show people where we’re going, and then the steps towards it. And that’s what I’m going to try to do.”
Speaking about his approach to the economy, Mr Burnham said: “I think you have to rethink how we run things to get a different approach to public spending, and to running the economy - more focused on early investment, early intervention, setting people up for success, and much less paying for failure.”
Referring to his plans to scrap Sir Keir Starmer’s digital ID scheme, Mr Burnham added: “That’s an example of what’s to come, freeing up resource for something that, in my view, wouldn’t make a tangible difference to people’s lives anytime soon. And even if it did, it wouldn’t necessarily make life easier, it might do in the long run.”
Watch: Boris Johnson clashes with Trevor Phillips over suggestion his behaviour contributed to ‘coarsening’ of politics
23:00 , Bryony Gooch
MI5 advises vulnerable MPs to build a safe room at home
22:00 , Bryony Gooch
MI5 advises vulnerable MPs to build a safe room at home
Watch: Burnham will stick to manifesto commitments on North sea oil and gas, Labour deputy leader says
21:00 , Bryony Gooch
Burnham plots Ed Miliband Foreign Office shake-up and policy blitz
20:00 , Bryony Gooch
Burnham plots Ed Miliband Foreign Office shake-up as he readies day-one policy blitz
Burnham won't wear shirt and tie 'except in chamber or exceptional events' - report
19:00 , Bryony Gooch
Andy Burnham is set to forego wearing a shirt and tie as prime minister, according to reporting from the Sunday Times.
The Makerfield MP has opted for a black t shirt and jacket along his journey back into Westminister, and will reportedly have no stylistic change as he moves into 10 Downing Street on Monday.
The paper reported that he would only wear a shirt and tie in the chamber or for exceptional events.
Burnham to promise 'breathing room' when he takes over as prime minister
18:54 , Holly Bancroft
Andy Burnham will pledge to restore confidence in government and give people “breathing room” when he becomes prime minister on Monday.
The new Labour leader will set out his domestic priorities in his first speech from Downing Street after visiting the Palace to “kiss hands” with the King and formally take over from Sir Keir Starmer.
He is expected to characterise the moment as one of “reflection and resolution”, arguing Britain must be honest about the challenges it faces and demonstrate it can solve them.
And he will say he is “acutely conscious” that the UK has had seven prime ministers over the last 10 years, and stress the need for more stable and responsible politics.
Allies of Mr Burnham said he would argue that political stability must deliver “tangible” improvements along with the “breathing room” on the cost of living he has previously promised.
Having come to the Labour leadership without a contest barely a month after returning to Westminster, Mr Burnham is yet to set out much of his agenda for his premiership.
He has already said he wants to devolve power away from Westminster as one of his key priorities, driving that agenda with a new “No 10 North” in Manchester, which he is expected to visit later in the week.
Promising a “reset of priorities”, Mr Burnham has also announced he will scrap Sir Keir’s flagship digital ID programme in order to focus money and attention on the cost of living.
In his first week in office, the new prime minister is expected to unveil policies aimed at making people’s lives easier.
Would-be chancellor Mahmood’s history on tax sparks tensions with Burnham allies
18:30 , Bryony Gooch
Shabana Mahmood’s history on tax and welfare sparks tensions with Andy Burnham allies
In full: Trump weighs in on North Sea oil and gas row hours before Burnham becomes PM
18:29 , Holly Bancroft
Donald Trump has weighed in on rumoured plans for controversial new drilling in the North Sea, claiming Andy Burnham will open oil fields “all the way”, writes political correspondent Millie Cooke.
In an intervention hours before the new prime minister enters Downing Street, the US president – a vocal supporter of fossil fuels, who has repeatedly dismissed the scientifically-backed idea of the climate crisis – said the move would prevent Britain from becoming a “poverty stricken disaster”.
Mr Burnham previously insisted he would stick to Labour’s manifesto pledge not to issue new North Sea licences. But he has also refused to deny reports that he is considering approving new production.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump said: “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!”
In his first Downing Street address on Monday, Mr Burnham will call for steadiness in government, arguing that the “unprecedented turnover in national leadership underlines the need for a more stable and responsible politics”.
Trump weighs in on North Sea oil drilling row hours before Burnham becomes PM
Burnham to set out plan to 'give Britain more breathing room', in first Downing Street address
18:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Andy Burnham will argue that Britain faces a “moment not for triumphalism but for honesty and reflection” and set out a plan to “give Britain more breathing room” in his first address as prime minister.
Speaking outside No 10 on Monday, the new prime minister will say that he is "acutely conscious" of being the sixth person to walk up Downing Street in just ten years, arguing that the “unprecedented turnover in national leadership underlines the need for a more stable and responsible politics”.
Mr Burnham will say now is a moment of "reflection and resolution", arguing the UK must be "honest about the challenges it faces while demonstrating that it can once again be recognised around the world for effective government".
What does the EU actually think of Andy Burnham?
17:00 , Bryony Gooch
What does the EU actually think of Andy Burnham?
Former head of British Army condemns idea of Wes Streeting as defence secretary
16:00 , Bryony Gooch
Lord Dannatt, former head of the British Army, has expressed disappointment at the idea of Wes Streeting coming into the Ministry of Defence, claiming the former health secretary knows “the square root of nothing” about defence.
He told Lewis Goodall on LBC: “Defence is a complex portfolio, it takes time to understand it. He's got no background in it. Dan Jarvis has got a very good background in it. John Healey had experience in that role.
”I would be very disappointed to see someone like Wes Streeting coming in who knows pretty much the square root of nothing about defence and would have to start from square one, and that will just take time, energy from people to brief him before he's in a position to start making decisions.”
He added that Dan Jarvis, set to be left without a Cabinet role as Andy Burnham steps in, “could do a really good job” if given the funds to step GDP investment up to 3.5 per cent by 2035.
Donald Trump claims Burnham will open up the North Sea 'all the way'
15:43 , Bryony Gooch
US president Donald Trump has claimed that Andy Burnham will open up the North Sea "all the way".
He posted on Truth Social: “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!
“Britain pays Norway Billions of Dollars a year to buy its Oil, which they get from a less valuable part of the North Sea — How ridiculous is that!
“Also, word is that the UK is going to move the old and horrible looking windmills, which loom over and destroy the City of Aberdeen.
“That will be a big day for the Country, and will be very much appreciated by everybody.”
Thames Water creditors open to talks with Andy Burnham on more ‘public control’
15:40 , Bryony Gooch
Investors in Thames Water have said they are willing to discuss greater “public control” of the utility amid reports Andy Burnham could temporarily nationalise the struggling company.
Turnaround specialist Mike McTighe, who is working with the largest group of Thames Water’s creditors, said UK and international investors were willing to work with incoming ministers to “rebuild confidence” in the debt-laden firm.
Mr McTighe said: “We are keen to meet new ministers as soon as possible to discuss how we can work together in the best interests of customers, including by enhancing public control of the company’s operations.
“We remain ready and willing to recapitalise Thames Water, return it to investment grade, and begin the long process of turning it around.
“We urgently need Government engagement to begin that process.”
Lucy Powell sets outline of what 'authentically Labour' means ahead of Burnham's arrival at 10 Downing Street on Monday
15:20 , Bryony Gooch
The deputy Labour leader was sure to outline what Andy Burnham meant by Labour becoming “authentically Labour”.
Lucy Powell said on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: “It's not trying to out-Reform Reform, it's not trying to out-Green the Greens.
“It's about giving people, ordinary people, security in work, security in their home, a home they can afford, and live in a community that they can feel proud of and.
“Knowing that their children are gonna have a opportunity for the future.
”These are the sort of basic essentials that ordinary people aspire to, want to have, and they want to know they've got a government on their side, and it does mean taking on some of the vested and private interests that have for too long governed this country.
“We have seen an over centralised political base, which has meant that too many communities have been left behind, and we have seen an economy that's been overly-privatised and and that the utilities and the essentials of life don't work in the interests of ordinary people, so giving people that agency as well.”
We won’t out Reform Reform, or out Green the Greens. We’ll be authentically Labour - taking the pressure of people’s lives and rewiring the country so it works for the many not the few.
— Lucy Powell MP (@LucyMPowell) July 19, 2026
Speaking to @bbclaurak this morning on the BBC. pic.twitter.com/3pILLakNQc
'Privatisation of water hasn't worked', says Lucy Powell
10:30 , Bryony Gooch
Lucy Powell responded to whether Andy Burnham could renationalise Thames Water.
It comes amid reports that he intends to put the country’s biggest water company under a special administration regim.
The Labour deputy leader told Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips: "Well, look, let's see. There's lots of speculation around.
"This has been an ongoing issue and concern in government and has been around for many months now. The government has powers to bring a distressed water company under special measures, and let's see if the government needs to - wants to - use those powers.
"We also have actually promised to bring forward a new piece of legislation around water reform as well. So there's real opportunity there to look at how we can ensure we've got a sustainable water system in this country."
Powell added that this is "something that we can all see: the privatisation of water hasn't worked".
She concluded: "It's not created competition. What we've seen is bills going up and up and up over years and years and years of investment not being made."
Scrapping digital ID 'not just about money', Lucy Powell said
09:38 , Bryony Gooch
Millie Cooke, political correspondent reports:
Scrapping digital ID is “not just about the money”, Labour’s deputy leader has said.
Lucy Powell told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg that the decision to scrap the project was about ensuring the government was “laser focused on the cost of living, laser focused on rewiring the economy, rewiring the political system in this country, and clearing the decks, if you like, from of all of the other things that might distract and take away from that in terms of the focus of the government”.
Asked how much money it would allow to be spent on other priorities, she said: “The OBR said it would cost, I think, £1.8 billion over the over the coming years.
“That’s not an insignificant amount of money. That will obviously be reprioritised and redistributed in different ways.
“But but as I say, it’s not just about the money. It’s actually about the attention and the focus, so that the the whole of government machinery can work in service of the agenda and the vision that the Labour government is setting out under under Andy Burnham, and I think that is important.”
Burnham will stick to manifesto commitments on North sea oil and gas, Labour deputy leader says
09:37 , Bryony Gooch
Millie Cooke, political correspondent reports:
There will be a “change of emphasis” on North Sea oil and gas, Labour's deputy leader has said, but insisted Andy Burnham would stick to the party’s manifesto commitments.
Lucy Powell told the BBC that reports the incoming prime minister could allow more drilling in the North Sea were “speculation” but added Mr Burnham would take a “more pragmatic approach”.
She said: “We’ve been really clear that the way to achieve, in the long term, energy security and lower bills is by ensuring that we do have our our own homegrown, clean, much cheaper energy.
“But we’ve been absolutely clear that North Sea gas and oil is an important part of that transition.“It’s an important part of the mix, and I think what Andy’s talking about is taking a more pragmatic approach and working with the industry to make sure that it can contribute to that transition and to the the mix that is needed over the long term.
“So let’s see what he’s got to say about that. But I don’t think it’s a change of policy. It’s more a change of emphasis.”
Burnham plots Foreign Office shake up
Saturday 18 July 2026 18:28 , Holly Bancroft
Andy Burnham could put energy secretary Ed Miliband into the Foreign Office in a major shake-up, which is expected to include a roadmap to return the UK to spending 0.7 per cent of GDP on international aid, Labour sources have told David Maddox.
There is now a growing belief that Mr Miliband will be made foreign secretary, with explicit permission to prioritise tackling climate goals through the department, The Independent’s Political Editor hears.
He will also be seen as a more progressive foreign secretary in changing policy on the Middle East after Mr Burnham recently stated that policy towards the war in Gaza had “not been good enough”, suggesting there will be a tougher line taken on Israel.
Read the full story here:
Burnham plots Ed Miliband Foreign Office shake-up as he readies day-one policy blitz
