Trump describes Andy Burnham as 'extremely liberal'

Donald Trump has given his first public reaction to Andy Burnham, describing him as an "extremely liberal" politician who "probably won't open up" the North Sea for further oil and gas drilling. He also labelled the former Greater Manchester mayor, and man most likely to be the UK's next prime minister, as "the mayor of a town". Burnham's team have declined to comment on the US president's remarks. The new MP for Makerfield is so far the only candidate in the race to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Labour Party leader and prime minister. Trump's intervention underscores that the question of how to handle the US president would be one of the great challenges of Burnham's premiership. As mayor of Greater Manchester, he has generally avoided commenting on foreign policy. In a long career as a Labour minister and shadow minister, before becoming mayor, he has always focused on domestic policy areas. Some supporters of Burnham are keen for him to continue doing that – even at a time of global turmoil – if he becomes prime minister. Much of Sir Keir's time has been consumed by global issues. The UK is hosting the G20 summit of world leaders next year, as well as the smaller G7 gathering the year after – both of which Trump would attend. Like many Labour politicians, Burnham has been critical of Trump in the past. …