UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he would publicly challenge US President Donald Trump whenever it is necessary to protect Britain’s national interest, while declining to say whether he trusts the American leader.In an exclusive interview with the BBC, his first major sit-down since taking office, Burnham said he had a “really warm” first exchange with Trump but stressed that he would not hesitate to disagree with the US president if Britain’s interests demanded it.“I can’t at any point say that I won’t take a different opinion from him, that I will need to voice a different idea that is right for Britain,” Burnham told BBC.Asked if he would call out Trump if it was the right thing to do, he replied: “Of course.
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You have to defend your own national interest before anything else.”Burnham was sworn in as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on July 20, 2026. He took office at Buckingham Palace after meeting with King Charles III.
Avoids saying if he trusts Trump
Despite describing his first interaction with Trump as positive, Burnham stopped short of saying whether he trusted the US president.When asked twice about trust, he avoided giving a direct answer, saying: “It’s a changing world, isn’t it, and you just obviously have to call things as they develop.”The prime minister also said becoming Britain’s leader would not change his connection with the public. “My strength is remaining close to people, close to the public. That will not change as prime minister,” he said, adding that he would “always put Britain’s interests first.”
Raises concerns over Iran conflict
Burnham also revealed he had been concerned about Trump’s decision to initiate the conflict with Iran, adding that he would not hold back from expressing his views when he believed it was the right course for Britain.“I wouldn’t hold back from saying what I think is right,” he said.
Rules out early general election
Burnham also dismissed speculation about an early general election before 2029, saying he was “going to rule it out” because he did not believe the public wanted another vote so soon. Instead, he said, his priority was “getting the country back where it should be.”
Defence spending target still undecided
On defence, Burnham declined to commit to a timeline for increasing UK defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP, despite Chancellor John Healey previously arguing that the target should be met by 2030 to keep the country safe.Burnham said he appointed Healey knowing his position on defence spending, but insisted the government’s immediate priority was ensuring the current defence investment plan was fully funded ahead of this year’s budget.
