Trump allies warn Burnham Ed Miliband appointment could poison UK-US ties Andy Burnham's honeymoon as Britain's new Prime Minister is already under pressure after allies of President Donald Trump warned that appointing Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary could damage the prized UK-US "special relationship." The appointment marks a dramatic political comeback for Miliband, but it has also reignited long-standing tensions with Republicans who remember his past attacks on Trump and his strong backing of Net Zero policies. Former White House strategist Steve Bannon reportedly described Miliband's promotion as "very injurious" to relations between London and Washington, while reports claim members of the Trump administration had privately urged Burnham not to hand him one of the government's most senior posts. Thatcher ally sounds the alarmNile Gardiner, director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom and a former adviser to Margaret Thatcher, delivered an even harsher verdict. He branded the appointment "disastrous" and warned Burnham was steering Britain back towards the economic failures of the 1970s. Gardiner argued Miliband is viewed by many American conservatives as the driving force behind Britain's Net Zero agenda, describing those policies as "poisonous" in the eyes of the Trump administration. He predicted the appointment would create "very significant tensions" between Trump and Burnham. Trump and Burnham strike friendly toneDespite the criticism, Trump himself struck a more positive note after speaking with Burnham shortly after he entered Downing Street. The US President described their first conversation as "very good", saying they discussed North Sea oil, trade, defence cooperation and security in the Middle East. Trump also wished Britain's new Prime Minister "Good Luck and Godspeed" and said the pair hoped to meet soon. Burnham has hinted he may back increased North Sea drilling, a move that would please Trump after repeated calls for Britain to boost domestic energy production. Old comments return to haunt MilibandMiliband has previously described Trump as a "racist, misogynistic, self-confessed groper" during the President's first White House campaign. Following Trump's return to office, Miliband acknowledged those remarks but insisted his responsibility as Foreign Secretary would now be to work constructively with Washington. He also pledged to strengthen Britain's alliance with the United States while maintaining closer cooperation with European partners. More rows on the horizonMiliband's appointment has also drawn criticism from Conservative figures and pro-Israel commentators, while opponents accuse Burnham of assembling one of Labour's most left-wing Cabinets in decades. With difficult negotiations ahead on trade, defence, energy and foreign policy, Burnham now faces the challenge of proving he can maintain Britain's closest international alliance while keeping his own political agenda intact. SOURCE
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