Keir Starmer Resigns as UK Prime Minister; Andy Burnham Wins By-Election and Rejects Trump-Aligned Politics

Keir Starmer resigned as UK prime minister. Andy Burnham won a by-election in Makerfield and emerged as the favored candidate to succeed him. President Trump gave an interview to GB News at the White House on June 24, 2026.

He stated he knows nothing about Burnham and described him as the mayor of a town who is extremely liberal. Trump added that he and Burnham are probably of a different persuasion and that he does not want to be the first leader to visit Burnham's Britain. Trump said every oil company had approached him seeking access to UK oil fields.

He stated that UK companies buy oil from Norway and pay a big premium while Norway holds $2 trillion in the bank and the UK is dying. Trump said the UK should open up the North Sea for drilling. The U.S.

State Department, led by Marco Rubio, issued a statement earlier in the week announcing it would look forward to continued cooperation with Starmer's successor. Andy Burnham stated in his Makerfield victory speech that Britain must turn away from a divided, dark politics of the kind seen in the United States.

On January 6, 2021, Burnham said any UK politician who gave Trump the time of day should be ashamed.