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Published 14:42 20 Jul 2026 GMT
This afternoon, a new British Prime Minister was appointed by King Charles after Keir Starmer stepped down, but what will his diplomatic relationship with US President Donald Trump be like?
Andy Burnham was the Mayor of the UK’s second city, Manchester, for nine years from 2017, before resigning to stand in a by-election to the UK parliament, with hopes of becoming leader of the Labour Party and therefore Prime Minister.
Burnham swanned to the top within several weeks as no other candidate stood against him in the leadership contest.
While the new leader had a relatively easy time getting to the top, handling the responsibilities that come with the job certainly won’t be easy, and one of the most speculated-upon issues is how he plans to manage the relationship between the US and the UK.
There have already been signs that it could be a rocky relationship between the heads of state, as Burnham recently hinted at there being division and instability in the US under Trump's second term in the White House.
On June 13, the new British PM said: "Politics is getting more polarized. And the path we're on, if we are not careful, is a path towards the politics of the United States of America. A polarized, poisonous politics where people in communities don't work together anymore."
Another scathing remark he made insulting US politics came when he spoke out against right-wing party Reform UK’s plans to make the country’s National Health Service more like America's insurance-reliant system.
Burnham said: "We don't want a US-style health system in this country."
However, Trump has spoken out in support of Burnham’s reported plans to open new oil and gas fields in the North Sea. Singing the new Prime Minister’s praise on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “The People of Aberdeen, in Scotland, are dancing in the streets because the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has stated that he will be opening up, all the way, the invaluable North Sea Oil!”
Although it has since been reported by the Financial Times that Burnham will scrap his plans and stick to the UK government's original pledge not to issue any new oil and gas licences, so the two leaders will have to find something else to bond over.
Hopefully Trump will get on better with Burnham than he did Starmer, who after once describing him as a “lovely man” and “sort of friend of mine”, was later highly critical of the previous Labour leader.
Shortly after Starmer’s resignation, Trump said: “I wish him well, but he's got two problems: energy and immigration, and crime, but energy and immigration, you know, he's really hurt himself very, very badly."
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Published 08:39 22 Jun 2026 GMT
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Published 11:56 20 Jul 2026 GMT
After it was announced that Andy Burnham is the UK’s new Prime Minister, following Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation, attention has turned to Donald Trump’s comments about the new face of British politics, and they aren’t positive.
The former Mayor of Manchester succeeds Starmer, who became the fourth prime minister in five years to step down.
The announcement followed months of strained relations between Starmer and Trump, particularly after disagreements surrounding the US-Israel war with Iran.
Following the resignation, Trump described Starmer as a "very nice man" but claimed he "has really hurt himself, very very badly."
Burnham, who met with King Charles III and was invited to form a government, is set to make a public address later today.
While Burnham’s appointment symbolizes a new start for Britain, Trump was less than convinced when asked about the UK’s leader.
"I don't know," Trump replied. "I think I see that he was, I guess, the mayor of a town.
"I hear he's extremely liberal, extremely, so that means he probably won't open up the North Sea."
Burnham has been outspoken about Trump for several years and has repeatedly criticized both the president and the political climate in the United States.
Last month, he described American politics as "polarized" and "poisonous," saying it had become a place "where people in communities don't work together”.
Back in 2017, Burnham told the Manchester Evening News he would "refuse to meet the president out of principle" if Trump ever decided to visit Manchester.
Following the January 6 attack on the US Capitol in 2021, Burnham also posted on X: "Any UK politician who gave Trump the time of day should be ashamed right now."
According to the BBC, Burnham's team declined to comment on Trump's latest comments.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced his resignation sparking a leadership content in his party.
The Labour PM has been in charge for around two years since winning an historic landslide election victory, but now finds himself facing the exit door.
Newly-elected Makerfield MP Andy Burnham is expected to head the field for his job, although there will be other challengers from around the wider party.
Despite several significant wins during his time in 10 Downing Street, and after inheriting a country in disarray following 14 years of unrest that saw Rishi Sunak, Boris Johnson, David Cameron and Liz Truss all struggle as Conservative Prime Ministers, Starmer’s popularity has tanked in recent times.
The wave of optimism that saw Labour finally oust their longstanding rival party has quickly dissipated and left the party membership and wider British public unhappy with their leadership.
With the rise of Reform, led by Nigel Farage, and a recent heavy defeat for the government in the local elections in Britain, Starmer’s premiership has been the subject of much scrutiny and speculation about his position at the top.
With Mayor of Greater Manchester Burnham now an elected Member of Parliament and expected to take his seat in the House of Commons today, Starmer was believed by many to be on borrowed time, and he has taken the opportunity to end things on his own terms.
Speaking at the lectern outside the PM’s official residence, he said that he would leave the ‘biggest job in the country’ to take more time for the ‘most important job’.
He added: "Being the best husband I can, to my fantastic wife Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad,
"And being the best dad that I can be to two beautiful children, who are my pride and joy.”
The visibly emotional Labour leader also pledged his full support to whoever follows him in the role, as well as thanking his colleagues and friends, as well as the ‘extraordinary civil service’.
A leadership election will take place, with a decision set to be made before Parliament returns from its summer recess in September.
After speaking to the National Executive Committee of his party, Starmer has asked for a leadership content to be held with nominations opening on July 9.
That will mean that the content should be concluded no later than the date that MPs break up for their summer holidays.
Until then, Starmer will remain as Prime Minister.
Published 10:41 22 Jun 2026 GMT
There could be all kinds of implications following the announcement of British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation from office, and AI has weighed in on what it could all mean for Donald Trump and the United States, suggesting the political fallout could have consequences on both sides of the Atlantic.
According to the AI analysis, Starmer's departure comes at a time when relations between the UK prime minister and the US president had already become strained.
While the pair were once seen as close allies, tensions reportedly increased following disagreements linked to the Iran war.
“The relationship is already strained,” the AI said. “Although Trump and Starmer once shared a strong alliance, their relationship has become increasingly splintered amid the fallout of the Iran war.”
The analysis argued that Starmer's exit brings to an end an increasingly strained partnership, adding: “So a departure wouldn't end a warm partnership — it would close out one that had already soured.”
The AI also suggested Trump could use the situation to strengthen his own political narrative, particularly because he publicly predicted Starmer's resignation before any official confirmation emerged.
“Trump's stake in this is partly about being seen to be right,” it explained. “He publicly predicted the resignation before Downing Street confirmed anything, so if Starmer goes, Trump can frame it as vindication.”
The AI noted that Trump had criticized Starmer's handling of key issues, claiming the British leader had “failed badly” on immigration and energy policy while urging the UK to increase North Sea drilling.
However, it stressed that there is no evidence that Trump had inside knowledge of any resignation plans.
“The caveat matters: it remains unclear whether Trump has definitive knowledge or is simply speculating,” the AI said, adding that any suggestion Trump accurately predicted events would be based on “a prediction, not inside information.”
Looking ahead, the analysis suggested the identity of Starmer's successor could have a bigger impact on US-UK relations than Starmer's departure itself.
“The bigger US implication is the successor,” it stated, identifying Andy Burnham as a leading contender. The AI noted that Burnham has previously criticised American-style politics as “poisonous” and argued that Trump's political approach has created instability on the global stage.
Those comments, it warned, “could complicate the UK-US relationship if he becomes PM.”
As a result, the AI concluded that Trump could end up losing a familiar counterpart, even if relations had cooled. “From Trump's perspective, a Starmer exit could trade a soured-but-familiar counterpart for a more openly critical one.”
The analysis also highlighted ongoing questions surrounding Peter Mandelson's appointment as the UK's ambassador to Washington. It noted that Starmer had faced scrutiny over the decision after reports emerged that concerns had previously been raised about Mandelson's links to the late Jeffrey Epstein.
“A leadership change raises the question of who represents the UK in Washington going forward,” the AI added.
Summing up the situation, the AI said: “Net effect for the US: short-term, Trump gets a rhetorical ‘I told you so’; medium-term, he may face a UK government less inclined to accommodate him.”
Published 13:17 05 Jan 2026 GMT
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a sharp warning to Donald Trump amid rising fears the US president may be eyeing a military move to take control of Greenland.
The 63-year-old spoke to reporters on Monday (January 5) morning and threw his support behind Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who has rejected Trump's renewed efforts to claim the vast Arctic island for the United States.
“I stand with her, and she's right about the future of Greenland,” Starmer said, cited by The Mirror. “Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark are to decide the future of Greenland, and only Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark.”
The PM added: “Denmark is a close ally in Europe, it is a NATO ally, and it's very important the future of Greenland is, as I say, for the Kingdom of Denmark, and for Greenland, and only for Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark.”
The comments come just days after a U.S. military operation in Venezuela saw the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, sparking fears that the 79-year-old, who said the US would now “run” Venezuela, may try to use similar force to secure control over Greenland.
Trump reignited the controversy over the Danish territory last weekend, claiming the island is crawling with Russian and Chinese ships and is essential for U.S. national security.
“It’s so strategic right now,” he said.
“Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it.”
Asked whether the U.S. operation in Venezuela was a preview of what could happen in Greenland, Trump responded: “They are going to have to view it themselves. I really don’t know.”
The comments added fuel to ongoing tensions after Trump’s long-standing interest in acquiring Greenland resurfaced.
In a statement, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Trump has “no right to annex” the island and warned him to “stop threatening a historically close ally.”
Denmark already provides the U.S. with broad access to Greenland under existing NATO security agreements, but Frederiksen warned: “I would therefore strongly urge the U.S. to stop threatening a historically close ally and another country and people who have made it very clear that they are not for sale.”
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen called Trump’s renewed annexation efforts a “fantasy," per BBC News.
“No more pressure. No more insinuations. No more fantasies of annexation. We are open to dialogue. We are open to discussions. But this must happen through the proper channels and with respect for international law," he added.
The tensions escalated further after Katie Miller, wife of former Trump adviser Stephen Miller, posted an image of Greenland photoshopped with the American flag and the word “SOON.”
The Danish ambassador to the U.S. responded with a “friendly reminder” that Denmark expects respect for its territorial integrity.
Starmer’s stance stands in contrast to comments from Home Office minister Mike Tapp, who appeared reluctant to oppose a potential U.S. intervention during an interview on Sky News.
Pressed repeatedly, Tapp said: “When it comes to Greenland, Denmark and the United States, these are both NATO members... I can't see this being any different to any previous conversations that need to be had between NATO members.”
Sky News host Sophy Ridge responded: “I find it extraordinary that you can't just say flat out that Donald Trump needs to not intervene on Greenland.”
Tapp deflected again, saying it was a matter for NATO: “The Venezuela issue is very different to the Greenland issue, but that's for them to have those discussions... working together with our allies and sticking to international laws is what we stand for as a country.”
Former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace quickly criticized the government’s silence, posting on X: “We must now look to our Danish friends and fellow NATO allies. We must make it very clear to the Trump administration that threats to them is unacceptable. No more weak Government Ministers saying nothing on media rounds.”
Published 11:28 16 Jul 2018 GMT
Donald Trump's visit to the UK last week prompted many, many questions. Did two senior royals really flat-out refuse to meet him, leaving the Queen to greet him alone? Is Trump potentially the only person who has ever dared kept Queen Elizabeth II waiting for tea? Does anyone in the UK actually like the US President?
Nonetheless, it was UK Prime Minister Theresa May's numerous encounters with Trump that were the talk of the town - and the moments that presented us with the most important questions. One question, in particular, is a query that is pondered by millions every time Donald Trump and Theresa May meet: why do they always hold hands?
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The hand-holding first came into play back in 2017 when the two leaders came face-to-face for the first time at the White House in Washington. At the time, the gesture was put down to chivalry by the UK PM, with a Downing Street spokeswoman stating: "If you watch the video, they’re walking along and there is an unseen ramp. He offered his hand, which she took as they stepped down the ramp."
However, when the two grasped hands again when the former businessman travelled over the pond last week, the questions kept on coming. This time, the pair held hands not once, but twice; firstly when they walked up the stairs into Blenheim Palace to share a lavish dinner, and secondly when they made their way downstairs to hold a press conference at Chequers.
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"Why does #TheresaMay hold hands with #DonaldTrump? Her majesty #QueenElizabeth didn’t have to. #TrumpUKVsit," asked Twitter user @MzMayRene. She was joined by fellow user @Andrewjwal26 who posted: "Does Mr Trump need Mrs May to help him walk up and down stairs or does Mrs May need Mr Trump to help her. It is not normal for two leaders to constantly hold hands like this. I am sure he would not do it with any other female leader of a country".
But, now finally, Theresa May has provided us with the answer to the question we've all been thinking about. Speaking to the BBC‘s Andrew Marr, the prime minister explained that, in the latest instance, the pair held hands to help the US President up and down a set of stairs. In a TV interview, May stated: "What you notice is that whenever he takes me down a slope or stairs – he did it up the steps at Blenheim Palace – he takes my hand to help in going up the steps."
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However, her explanation was not accepted by Marr, who suggested to that the image she presents when holding Trump's hand may be one of submission. The UK PM replied saying "oh Andrew, come on," to which he remarked "It’s the grab," referring to the way the president often instigates the gesture.
He is not the only one who has been left unsatisfied by May's rationale. In fact, many people on social media have suggested that the action may be down to sexism on Trump's part, with users asking if he has ever held hands with male leaders.
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In addition, many people have taken the incident to fuel a popular rumour that Trump suffers from bathmophobia, a fear of stairs and dirty handrails (although this term is not officially recognised).
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So, what do you think? Is May simply giving 72-year-old Trump a helping hand up the stairs? Are the two physically expressing the "special relationship" that is said to exist between the UK and US? Is it a plain sexist move on Trump's part? Or is the 45th POTUS just terrified of stairs?
To be continued next time the two leaders meet...
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