ANDY Burnham will insist the UK is not “on the slide” as he makes his United Nations debut as Prime Minister.
He will address the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday following his first face-to-face talks with US President Donald Trump.
The Prime Minister’s trip comes ahead of the Labour Party conference later this month, the first Budget of his premiership in October and the unveiling of his 10-year plan for the UK.
Speaking to reporters travelling with him to New York, Burnham said: “The plan for Britain is about ‘what is our direction over the next 10 years and how do we make life more affordable for people’. That is my main priority, that’s what people are looking for.
“I hear people saying the country is on the slide – we’re the fastest growing in the G7, there’s lots to be proud of, there’s a lot right with the country and I’m going to give a really upbeat message when I speak.”
Burnham said the UK could be “hopeful about where we’re going”, adding: “We can draw a line under the last decade and say this next one’s going to be different.”
However, the SNP challenged Burnham’s optimistic assessment of the future of the UK, arguing instead that support for constitutional change across Scotland, Wales and Ireland showed the Westminster system was coming to an end.
SNP MSP Calum Kerr told The National: “Three of the four nations of these islands are led by pro-independence MSPs, there are a record number of pro-independence MSPs in the Scottish Parliament and the British Prime Minister rightly agrees that it is for the people of Scotland and the isle of Ireland to determine their own future.
“Andy Burnham was right to identify Westminster as the problem, but what is now completely clear is the age of Westminster is coming to an end.
“The SNP war chest has been opened up with £100,000 committed to a hearts and minds digital campaign and the First Minister has been clear on his intention to hold a referendum by 2031.
“Through a fresh start with independence, we can build upon the settled will of our people and use our vast energy resources to create a wealthy, fairer, Scotland back in the EU.”
Burnham’s appearance in New York will also see him meet Trump in person for the first time, with the two leaders expected to discuss the Middle East, Ukraine and artificial intelligence.
The meeting comes despite Burnham having been a vocal critic of Trump before becoming Prime Minister.
In 2021, as rioters stormed the US Capitol, Burnham said “any UK politician who gave Trump the time of day should be ashamed right now”.
Trump, meanwhile, previously described Burnham as “very liberal” and referred to him as the mayor of a “town”.
Burnham said he had raised the remark during their first phone conversation.
He told reporters: “Politicians say things throughout their career, but now the important thing is to focus on the moment you are in, and I did say to the president in our first phone call, I said Mr President, Manchester isn’t ‘some town’. I said ‘this is Manchester’.
“And so yes, the right thing to do is to have a laugh about it, isn’t it, and move beyond it.”
Asked whether he could trust Trump personally, Burnham replied: “Yes.”
He added: “When you come into this job, you realise how deep this relationship is.
“We trust our allies. Of course, we do.”
The Prime Minister is also expected to discuss the escalating conflict in the Middle East after authorising his first British military operation since entering Downing Street.
The UK is providing limited “defensive air-to-air refuelling” support to Saudi Arabia following attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis, with the operation expected to involve an RAF Voyager aircraft.
Burnham said: “The message is that we want to see an end to the conflict as quickly as possible and we stand ready to play our part.”
