Trump's UK Energy Push
Donald Trump criticizes UK leaders, demands North Sea oil drilling for economy
Anonymous
Key Points
1
Trump outlined explicit 'tests' for the Labour leadership contenders, including defence spending at 3% of GDP, addressing youth unemployment, adding £1 trillion to UK GDP within a decade, and improving the UK’s energy infrastructure.
2
The VAT relief announced as part of the 'Great British Summer Savings' is temporary and targets family-friendly spending: it reduces VAT for attractions like zoos and theme parks and lowers the cost of children’s cinema tickets and restaurant meals.
3
Trump contrasted Norway’s wealth with the UK, saying: 'Norway’s got now two trillion dollars in the bank, and the UK is dying, so they should open up the North Sea.'
4
Trump claimed that 'every oil company' had visited him begging to drill in the North Sea and urged Starmer to 'open up the North Sea, go to Aberdeen,' describing Aberdeen as 'the hottest city of the whole continent' and the 'oil city of Europe.'
Donald Trump labeled Andy Burnham "extremely liberal" on June 24, calling him "the mayor of a town" and predicting he would not open the North Sea for oil drilling. The remarks came during a White House meeting with NATO chief Mark Rutte and marked Trump's first public comments on the man widely seen as Britain's next prime minister, according to Yahoo News.
Trump used the moment to repeat his push for North Sea drilling. "Norway's got now two trillion dollars in the bank, and the UK is dying," he said, urging Britain to "open up the North Sea, go to Aberdeen." The comments landed as the UK was already gripped by a leadership crisis following Keir Starmer's resignation on June 22, according to Border Telegraph.
Starmer Quits as Labour Crisis Reaches Breaking Point
The UK's political meltdown began in May. Labour suffered heavy losses in local elections on May 7, triggering a cascade of resignations. Defence Secretary John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns quit on June 11 over a defence plan that reached only 2.68% of GDP by 2030 — well short of the 3% they demanded, according to Yahoo News.
Burnham won the Makerfield by-election on June 18 and was sworn in as an MP on June 22, the same day Starmer announced his resignation outside Downing Street. Burnham is now the only active candidate for the Labour leadership. He had previously called Trump's politics "poisonous" and said any UK politician who gave him "the time of day should be ashamed," according to Irvine Times.
Trump Calls Aberdeen the "Oil City of Europe," Urges Britain to Drill
Trump claimed that "every oil company" had visited him, begging to drill in the North Sea. He called it "among the greatest deals in the world." He pointed to Aberdeen — once Britain's oil hub — as proof of untapped potential, describing it as "the hottest city of the whole continent," according to Hereford Times.
Trump framed the issue as a simple wealth comparison. Norway built a $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund from North Sea oil. The UK, he said, is "dying." He told Starmer before his resignation to open the North Sea, and now targets Burnham with the same message. Trump also blamed wind turbines, saying they hurt Starmer "very, very badly," according to Cumnock Chronicle.
Five Tests for the Next Leader — and a VAT Cut for Families
Al Carns, the resigned Armed Forces Minister, set out five tests for whoever leads Labour next. They include spending 3% of GDP on defence as "a floor, not a ceiling," cutting youth unemployment, and adding £1 trillion to UK GDP within a decade. These targets put the incoming leader under immediate pressure, according to Border Telegraph.
On June 25, the government's "Great British Summer Savings" VAT relief took effect. It cuts VAT from 20% down to 5% on family activities like zoos, theme parks, and children's cinema tickets. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said it would "support families with the little treats in life." A family of four could save £20 on theme park tickets and £17 at a wildlife park, according to Yahoo News.
Burnham Faces a Binary Choice on North Sea Oil
A Burnham-led government faces a stark decision. Labour's 2024 manifesto pledged "no new oil licenses." But pressure is mounting from Trump, resigning ministers, and defence hawks to reverse that position and fund growth through drilling. Ed Davey of the Liberal Democrats warned of "alarm" at politicians who might "follow Donald Trump with policies to send temperatures soaring," according to Yahoo News.
Some analysts suggest Trump's endorsement of North Sea drilling may be a deliberate trap — making the policy toxic for a centre-left leader by loudly championing it. Burnham must now navigate a Special Relationship already strained by the Iran conflict, Trump's threats to cut US troops in Europe, and a domestic public sceptical of both drilling and Donald Trump's advice.
Sentiment
Mostly NegativeNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
11
Articles
112
Reach
123
A
AnonymousAuthor
