Trump brands UK ‘poverty-stricken disaster’ in new message about Burnham | World | News
Donald Trump brands Britain ‘poverty-ridden’ (Image: Getty)
Donald Trump praised Andy Burnham, who will become the country’s Prime Minister on Monday, for “noting” he would “wide open” North Sea oil, something the new Labor leader has not yet done. In a lengthy message shared on Truth Social, the US President branded Britain a “poverty-ridden disaster” with the potential to become one of the richest countries in the world.
Mr Trump praised what he described as one of the world’s largest sources of quality oil, claiming that the people of Aberdeen were “dancing in the streets” because of Burnham’s stance on North Sea oil. He wrote: “The people of Aberdeen in Scotland are dancing in the streets because new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced he’s going to blow the priceless North Sea Oil wide open!” The President continued: “It is one of the Greatest Resources of Quality Oil in the World, with Capacity that is hundreds of years old, much of it yet to be found, and will transform the UK from a Poverty-Face Disaster to one of the Richest Countries anywhere on Earth!”
Mr Trump also claimed Britain was paying Norway “billions of dollars a year” to buy oil which he said came from “a less valuable part of the North Sea”, adding: “How ridiculous this is!”
He then turned his attention to wind energy, claiming that the UK would “supposedly” remove wind turbines around Aberdeen.
Mr Trump wrote: “It is also said that the UK will move the old and scary looking windmills that loom over and destroy the City of Aberdeen.
“This will be a great day for the Country and will be greatly appreciated by all.”
But the President did not provide further details about the claim or specify which wind turbines he was referring to.
Mr Trump concluded his message with the following words: “There is so much potential in the UK, but it all starts with the NORTH SEA OIL DEVELOPMENT. WE LOVE YOU SCOTLAND!”
Andy Burnham will become Prime Minister on Monday after taking over as Labor leader (Image: Nigel French/PA Wire)
The US President has long pressed Britain to expand oil and gas drilling in the North Sea and has repeatedly criticized Sir Keir Starmer for his government’s decision to not grant new exploration licences.
He also previously claimed that oil companies had approached him about the possibility of opening the North Sea.
Mr Burnham has committed to sticking to Labour’s 2024 manifesto but has strongly hinted he will examine whether North Sea oil and gas could play a bigger role in the UK’s energy mix.
Any move to grant new licenses would represent a departure from Labour’s manifesto pledge to block further drilling in the North Sea.
But despite Trump’s claim, he did not say his government would issue new oil and gas licenses or promise to “fully” open the North Sea.
Labor deputy leader Lucy Powell said reports that Mr Burnham might allow more drilling in the North Sea were “speculation” but suggested the new Prime Minister would take a “more pragmatic approach”.
Stena Spey oil rig in Scotland, where oil extraction in the North Sea continues under existing licence. (Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)
Labour’s 2024 manifesto pledged not to grant new North Sea licenses and claimed they would not “cut a penny off bills” or improve energy security.
Labor deputy leader Lucy Powell said reports of further drilling were “speculation” but suggested Mr Burnham would take a “more pragmatic approach”.
He stressed that North Sea oil and gas remains an “important part” of the UK’s energy transition and future energy mix.
Ms. Powell added: “I don’t think this is a change of policy. It’s more of a change of emphasis.”
