Donald Trump has praised reports that new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham may be planning to fast-track new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.
Writing on Truth Social, the U.S. president said the move will “make the United Kingdom, from a poverty-stricken disaster to one of the richest countries anywhere in the world.”
“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! It is one of the Greatest Sources of quality Oil on Earth, has hundreds of years of Capacity left, with much not even found yet, and will make the United Kingdom, from a Poverty Stricken Disaster, to one of the Richest Countries anywhere in the World,” Trump posted.
“Britain pays Norway Billions of Dollars a year to buy its Oil, which they get from a less valuable part of the North Sea—How ridiculous is that! Also, word is that the UK is going to move the old and horrible looking windmills, which loom over and destroy the City of Aberdeen. That will be a big day for the Country, and will be very much appreciated by everybody. Such great potential in the UK, but it all starts with OPENING NORTH SEA OIL. WE LOVE YOU SCOTLAND,” the U.S. president added.
New drilling would breach the 2024 Labour Party manifesto, which helped it win the general election and pledged not to issue any new drilling licenses. Yet Burnham is set to speed up plans to drill more in the North Sea, according to British media.
The move signals a shift in Labour’s position. The party traditionally prioritizes environmental concerns, but it seems to be refocusing on industrial competitiveness. This could be justified in multiple ways. It may suggest energy alignment between the UK and the U.S., with the purpose of improving Britain’s relationship with the Americans. It may signal that Labour is giving up on the votes it has lost to the Greens in favor of a strategic move to the center. Or the move could simply become an avenue for the UK’s strategic competitiveness in a rapidly changing international context.
In any case, the move will likely combat the Conservatives’ accusations that Burnham would crash the economy in his attempt to raise the living standard for ordinary British people through a wealth tax.
