New PM Andy Burnham’s reign in chaos on first day after North Sea oil and gas drilling row erupts after Trump praise

ANDY Burnham enters No10 tomorrow with chaos already engulfing the crucial issue of oil and gas drilling. US President Donald Trump praised the incoming Prime Minister for “opening up, all the way” North Sea oil reserves. Andy Burnham will be installed as the UK’s seventh Prime Minister in a decade — and will immediately become engulfed in a row over oil and gas drilling Credit: Alamy New PM Burnham will step into a blazing row on North Sea drilling, with Trump piling in Credit: Corbis But Labour Deputy Leader Lucy Powell said Mr Burnham would be sticking to the party’s election manifesto — which ruled out any new drilling licences. Burnham is set to make a speech in Downing Street, promising that Britain can once again be a grown-up on the world stage. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! However he will also get an instant dose of reality, after US President Donald Trump hailed his plans for North Sea drilling — only for his deputy Lucy Powell to rule it out. Mr Burnham’s allies had signalled a break from Energy Secretary Ed Miliband’s Net Zero crusade, with more drilling, rather than relying on foreign oil and gas imports. It led Mr Trump to yesterday declare that Scots were “dancing in the streets” of the industrial hub Aberdeen. He said the move would transform Britain from a “poverty-stricken disaster” to “one of the richest countries anywhere in the world”. Opening up the North Sea and removing the “horrible windmills” will be a “very big day” for the UK, he added. Labour MP Al Carns also chipped in, saying harvesting our own resources “is absolutely the right call” to protect jobs and raise taxes. Most read in The Sun But Ms Powell went on TV yesterday, and insisted the new PM will stick to the manifesto. She said: “We’ve been really clear the way to achieve in the long-term energy security and lower bills is by ensuring that we do have our own home-grown, clean, much cheaper energy.” Mr Burnham could approve the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields — which have licences but have yet to be green-lit by Mr Miliband. But failing to fully overturn the ban on new oil and gas exploration licences could bring him into an early clash with Mr Trump. US President Donald Trump hailed Burnham’s plans for North Sea drilling — only for his deputy Lucy Powell to rule it out Credit: Getty But Ms Powell went on TV and insisted the new PM will stick to the manifesto Credit: BBC Tory leader Kemi Badenoch last night urged the new PM to get Britain drilling, offering to work together to reduce energy bills. She said: “You should overturn the destructive ban on new oil and gas licences which amounts to unilateral energy disarmament. Getting Britain drilling will be good for our energy security, good for our national security and good for our financial security.” Reform UK MP Richard Tice said he backs the new PM “parting ways with Labour’s irresponsible ban”. He told The Sun: “Taking advantage of the energy treasure under our feet is the best way to secure our energy independence and lower bills for households and industry.” After seeing King Charles at Buckingham Palace, Mr Burnham will enter No10 today after failing to spell out many policies. The former Greater Manchester Mayor will make a purposefully detail-light speech, promising to restore confidence in Labour which has been ripped apart by infighting. He will also be clear Westminster must help hard-up Brits. Last night there were signs of the “Burnham Bounce”, as Labour’s polling crept up, tying with Reform in some, with Nigel Farage’s party at its lowest level in two years. Mr Trump declared that Scots were ‘dancing in the streets’ of the industrial hub Aberdeen Credit: TruthSocial/@realDonaldTrump Pressure on Israel trip vow By Tom Scotson ANDY Burnham is under pressure to stick to a promise he would make Israel his “first foreign visit” if he ever became leader of the Labour party. A video from the leadership race in 2015 — which he lost to Jeremy Corbyn — shows the PM-in-waiting vowing to go there to build bridges with the Jewish community. Tory MP Greg Smith said he should stick to his guns if he had a “single thread of credibility”. Meanwhile, Labour MP Luke Akehurst said Mr Burnham may be able to reset relations with the country if Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is ousted in the elections there later this year in October. He said: “That is the moment when there ought to be a positive reset.” Mr Burnham was approached for comment. Mr Burnham will look to announce a policy blitz in his first 100 days and avoid the torrid first few months Sir Keir Starmer faced in office. He has signalled he wants to devolve more power, take back control of Thames Water and end Labour’s costly digital ID scheme. But Reform UK’s Robert Jenrick said: “This is a man with no mandate flailing from issue to issue in a desperate attempt to pretend that he has a plan. He’ll say or do anything to get his hands on power. The country needs a general election now.” Mr Burnham returned to Parliament as MP for Makerfield a month ago after nine years away from Westminster. It led to Sir Keir’s resignation before Mr Burnham’s unopposed “coronation”, with 379 MPs nominating him for leader. Meanwhile, households with heat pumps face winter rationing as the net zero drive increasing fears of blackouts, it emerged yesterday. By the end of next year, electricity suppliers will be able to remotely turn down their heating. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said “load control” will help “balance the grid” in peak demand, making blackouts less likely. Comment now