UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated he would not hesitate to publicly oppose U.S. President Donald Trump if it conflicts with the national interest.
In an interview with the BBC on July 26, Burnham responded affirmatively when asked if he could criticize Trump publicly, saying, "Of course. Above all, we must protect our national interests. This is necessary to fulfill my role as Prime Minister."
On his first day in office, July 20, Burnham spoke with Trump, marking the first conversation with a foreign leader. He described the call as a "good conversation" and noted that Trump was "very warm" during their exchange.
However, when asked if he trusts Trump, Burnham avoided a direct answer, stating, "Given how rapidly the world is changing, we must assess the situation as it develops."
Burnham also expressed concern over Trump starting a war with Iran, emphasizing, "I will not hesitate to say what I believe is right."
He dismissed the possibility of an early election, stating, "I believe the public does not want that," and added that he would focus on restoring the UK to its rightful place.
The next general election in the UK is scheduled for the summer of 2029. Keir Starmer, who won a landslide victory in the July 2024 election, resigned after losing trust within the Labour Party, leading to Burnham assuming the premiership.
During the interview, Burnham did not specify a timeline for increasing defense spending to 3% of GDP. He acknowledged being aware of Defense Secretary Hilary's stance on the importance of defense spending and stated, "The immediate task is to secure the funding needed for defense investment plans." He indicated that specific plans would be developed during the budget preparation process at the end of this year.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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