“If Burnham bows to Trump now, it will embolden Trump and signal a continuation of the failed strategy of appeasing the rogue president.”
By the Stop Trump Coalition
The UK is in drought. Wildfires have spread across Europe. And yet Donald Trump wants more British oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.
So, what will Andy Burnham do? So far the signs are not good, as he failed to stand up to Trump over the issue in a recent phone call.
We need to show that caving in to Trump on this issue will be massively unpopular.
Trump has long wanted the UK to open up the North Sea to more oil and gas drilling – which would further enrich his big oil donors. It has become an obsession, Trump’s supposed cure-all for the British economy, and it should not be indulged.
If Burnham bows to Trump now, it will embolden Trump and signal a continuation of the failed strategy of appeasing the rogue president.
Let’s also be clear: more drilling in the North Sea would not lower our energy bills. You can read more about why here.
Climate scientists know that every new fossil fuel project approved today makes tomorrow’s heatwaves more dangerous, and our world less secure.
Join us in demanding that Burnham’s new government doesn’t bend to Trump.
Without rejecting Trump and Trumpism, Burnham will struggle to improve people’s lives at home or around the world – and keep the door open to the far-right.
We’re going to keep pushing the new prime minister to take a stronger approach to Trump and his politics, including when Trump visits the UK next year for the G20 Summit in Manchester.
If you are able, please consider becoming a Stop Trump supporter today to power our campaigning.
- This statement was originally published by the Stop Trump Coalition on 3 August 2026.
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