UK PM says he told Trump will be pragmatic on North Sea oil

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed he told U.S. President Donald Trump he would take a "pragmatic approach" to North Sea oil and gas, signaling a potential shift from his party's previous stance. The leaders discussed the issue during a phone call on July 20, Burnham's first day in office, with Trump subsequently claiming the new prime minister pledged to "open up the North Sea." Burnham addressed the president's comments on July 30 during a visit to Barrow in Cumbria, stating, "There is a resource there. When people are struggling you can't ignore that and hence me indicating that to the president."

The conversation marks an early diplomatic engagement for Burnham's government and has reignited a contentious domestic debate over energy policy. The Labour Party's 2024 general election manifesto explicitly promised not to issue new licenses for oil and gas drilling, while committing to honor existing ones. That position was staunchly supported by Ed Miliband, who served as energy secretary under former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and once described the approval of the large Rosebank oil field as "climate vandalism." Miliband now serves as foreign secretary in...