Donald Trump has claimed that people in 'poverty-stricken' Scotland are 'dancing in the streets' following news that Andy Burnham will become prime minister tomorrow. The US president made the remarks on his social media platform Truth Social, praising Burnham's reported plans to approve new drilling and exploration in the North Sea.
Trump's praise for Burnham's oil policy
Trump wrote: 'The People of Aberdeen, in Scotland, are dancing in the streets because the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has stated that he will be opening up, all the way, the invaluable North Sea Oil! It is one of the Greatest Sources of quality Oil on Earth, has hundreds of years of Capacity left, with much not even found yet, and will make the United Kingdom, from a Poverty Stricken Disaster, to one of the Richest Countries anywhere in the World!'
The president has repeatedly urged outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer to open up the fields for more oil and gas extraction. According to The World Bank, around 0.4% of people in the UK live on approximately £2.20 a day, compared to 1.10% in the US.
Windmills comment and facts
Trump also claimed that the UK will 'move the old and horrible-looking windmills' in Aberdeen, though he did not elaborate. Notably, the Bay Wind Farm off the coast of Aberdeen consists of wind turbines, not windmills. Trump added: 'That will be a big day for the Country, and will be very much appreciated by everybody. Such great potential in the UK, but it all starts with OPENING NORTH SEA OIL. WE LOVE YOU SCOTLAND!'
UK oil imports and policy context
The UK imported 16.2 million metric tons of crude oil from the US in 2024. Insiders told the BBC that Burnham is considering approving new oil and gas projects in the North Sea, about 80 miles from the Shetland Islands. This would mark a shift from Labour's 2024 manifesto, which pledged not to approve new fossil fuel projects, arguing they would do little to lower energy bills.
Regulators previously approved the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields in 2022 and 2023, decisions environmental campaigners said contradicted the UK's net zero emissions target for 2050. However, a court ruled last year that the approval was unlawful due to climate change concerns.
Political reactions and speculation
Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell dismissed reports of a policy change as 'speculation', adding: 'I don’t think it’s a change of policy. It’s more a change of emphasis.' Insiders suggest Burnham could avoid breaking the pledge by accelerating already approved projects at Jackdaw and Rosebank.
