TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Newly appointed British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated he is prepared to criticize US President Donald Trump if required to defend Britain's national interests.
On Friday, the Daily Mail cited a source close to the White House claiming Trump intends to tolerate Burnham for now, hoping he will not be the last British prime minister serving during Trump's tenure. According to the insider, Trump will simply "tolerate" Burnham at present.
During an interview with the BBC broadcast on Sunday, Burnham noted he could not guarantee his views would always align with Trump's.
"I can’t at any point say that I won’t take a different opinion from him [Trump], that I will need to voice a different idea that is right for Britain," Burnham said.
Burnham was also asked whether he trusted the US president. However, he side-stepped a direct answer, noting instead that the global landscape is constantly evolving.
He emphasized that every geopolitical shift must be addressed with an appropriate response. "You have to defend your own national interest before anything else. That’s what you’re required to do if you’re to do this job properly," Burnham said.
The official power handover from Keir Starmer to Burnham took place on Monday, July 20, 2026.
Previous reports suggested that Reform UK leader Nigel Farage had earlier demanded a snap general election after Burnham unveiled plans to implement the "biggest changes" to British politics and the economy in four decades.
Read: UK PM Andy Burnham Rejects Calls for Early Elections
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