The Independent World
· collected 2026-08-26 · by George Thompson and David Lynch
Andy Burnham defended his previous critical comments about Donald Trump by saying that the US president has also made contentious statements. Burnham is planning to meet Trump in person for the first time as Prime Minister, and will join a delegation of European leaders lobbying for Ukraine's defense on their trip to the US. He acknowledged having previously called American politics "poisonous" but promised to focus on finding common ground with the US leader. The meeting with Trump comes after earlier statements by Burnham that suggested he would be unwelcome in Manchester, where he served as Greater Manchester chief.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-26,
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same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Andy Burnham, the Prime Minister of Britain, has defended his previous comments about Donald Trump, saying that the US President has also made similar remarks. Burnham was asked about his past statements, including when he served as Greater Manchester chief and said Trump would be unwelcome in the city. He responded by saying everyone says things as politicians, implying that both him and Trump have spoken out of turn. Despite this, Burnham stressed that he wants to establish "common ground" with Trump, despite describing US politics as "poisonous" and "polarised". In a separate development, Burnham is preparing to join European leaders on a trip to the US in September, where they will lobby for Ukraine's defence. This would be Burnham's first visit to the US since taking office in July, despite Trump having previously made comments that Britain is "a bankrupt country".
Written for “Andrew Burnham Defends Remarks” on 2026-08-31,
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Leaning score +0.35 for article 2580 (high confidence, 2 verified quotes) · logged 2026-08-27
Andy Burnham has stood by his previous comments about Donald Trump, claiming that the US president has likewise "said things as well".
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president → stand → things
The Prime Minister stressed he would seek to establish "common ground" with the US leader, despite having once described politics in America as "poisonous" and "polarised".
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he → stress → America
In an interview with Channel 5 News, he noted a personal "habit of saying what I feel", promising to continue this approach as Prime Minister.
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I → note → Minister
Earlier this month, Trump stated he expects he and the Prime Minister are "going to have a very good relationship", while simultaneously alleging that Britain is "a bankrupt country".
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Britain → state → relationship
Burnham is preparing to join a delegation of European leaders travelling to the US in September to lobby for Ukraine’s defence.
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Burnham → prepare → defence
Should the trip proceed, it will represent Burnham’s first visit to the US since taking over in No 10 in July.
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it → proceed → July
Speaking at a London supermarket on Wednesday, the Prime Minister was asked about earlier critiques of Trump, including past statements while serving as Greater Manchester chief that the president would be unwelcome in the city.
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president → speak → city
Burnham replied: "Well, he’s said things as well, and everyone says things as politicians.
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everyone → reply → politicians
In the moment you meet people where they’re at, and you find a connection with people, and that’s always been my style.
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that → meet → people
"I’ve had a habit of saying what I feel over the years, and I’ll continue to do that.
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I → have → that
"But, at the same time, I am somebody who works with people, tries to find common ground, and obviously that’s what I should be doing in this job in the British public’s interest, and I will always take that approach.
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I → work → approach
"I’m looking forward actually to my first meeting.
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I → look → meeting
We had a good phone call on my first day in office and looking forward to meeting in person."
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We → have → person
Burnham is among a number of prominent Government figures who have previously criticised Trump.
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who → criticise → Trump
Earlier this month, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband dismissed suggestions that past comments describing Trump as "racist" had damaged relations with the White House.
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comments → dismiss → House
Miliband insisted those earlier remarks "didn’t come up" during talks with Marco Rubio at the US State Department, which he termed "very productive".
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he → insist → which
