Burnham Says He Will Challenge Trump if UK Interests Demand

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he is prepared to challenge US President Donald Trump if doing so is necessary to protect Britain's national interests.

First talks with Trump

In his first major interview since becoming prime minister, Burnham told the BBC that while he had enjoyed a positive initial conversation with Trump, he would not hesitate to express a different view when he believed it was in Britain's best interests.

Burnham described his first exchange with the US president as "really warm" and said the two leaders had got off to a good start.

However, when asked twice whether he trusted Trump, the prime minister avoided giving a direct answer. Instead, he said: "It's a changing world, isn't it, and you just obviously have to call things as they develop."

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Putting Britain's interests first

Burnham said he could never promise to agree with the US president on every issue.

"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," he said.

Asked whether he would publicly challenge Trump if necessary, Burnham replied: "Of course."

"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," he added.

The prime minister also said he had been concerned about Trump's decision to begin the conflict with Iran and insisted he "wouldn't hold back from saying what I think is right".

Burnham added that remaining connected to the public would continue to shape his leadership.

"My strength is remaining close to people, close to the public. That will not change as prime minister," he said.

Defence spending and election plans

Burnham declined to commit to a timetable for raising UK defence spending to 3% of GDP.

His Chancellor, John Healey, resigned from the previous government after arguing that spending should reach that level by 2030 to ensure the country's security.

Burnham said he had appointed Healey knowing his views on defence funding and acknowledged the importance of the issue.

He said the government's immediate priority was to ensure its defence investment plan was fully funded before decisions were taken ahead of this year's Budget.

Pressed again on when defence spending would reach 3% of GDP, Burnham said: "We've got to work out the way of doing that."

The prime minister also ruled out calling an early general election before 2029.

"I'm going to rule it out... I don't think people want it," he said, adding that his priority was to focus on "getting the country back where it should be".

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26 July 2026