Andy Burnham endured the baptism of fire that awaits new leaders attending the UN General Assembly this week — two red-eye flights in a couple of days and a brief sleep in the chic quarters of the UK consul’s luxurious residence on the 38th floor of 50 United Nations Plaza.
After a short encounter with Donald Trump, in which he dodged the body-slam that can greet hapless international visitors, he left with only one severe scolding — about the deal to return the strategically sensitive Chagos base to Mauritius. A “terrible” idea, as the US President pithily put it. Frankly, that is fine by Burnham (the controversial lease deal was signed by Keir Starmer).
