UK's new PM Andy Burnham asked if he'd call out Trump. Here's what he said

After months of stormy relationship between Donald Trump and former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the Iran conflict, immigration, energy and trade, Britain's new leader Andy Burnham has signalled there will be no blank cheque for Washington. Burnham said he would not hesitate to challenge the US President whenever Britain's national interests demanded it.

Speaking in his first major interview since taking office, Burnham said every leader had a duty to put their own country first, even if that meant disagreeing with close allies. Asked by BBC whether he would call out Trump if he believed it was the right thing to do, Burnham replied: "Of course."

"All leaders have to do that. You have to defend your own national interest before anything else. That's what you're required to do if you're to do this job properly," he said.

The comments come just days after Burnham became UK's seventh Prime Minister in a decade following Keir Starmer's resignation. This is also his clearest statement yet on how he intends to manage relations with Trump, who returned to the White House earlier this year.

BRITAIN'S INTERESTS COME FIRST, UK PM SAYS

Burnham struck a measured tone when discussing his first conversation with the US President.

He described Trump as "really warm" during their initial phone call and said the discussion had gone well. However, when asked twice whether he trusted the American President, Burnham declined to give a direct answer.

"It's a changing world isn't it, and you just obviously have to call things as they develop," he said.

"I can't at any point say that I won't take a different opinion from him (Trump), that I will need to voice a different idea that is right for Britain."

He also revealed that he had "concern" about Trump starting the conflict with Iran and insisted he would not stay silent if he believed the UK should take a different position.

"I wouldn't hold back from saying what I think is right," he said.

Trump's relationship with Burnham appears to have started on a more positive note than his often tense dealings with former Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The previous government clashed with Washington on several issues, including the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, immigration, climate and energy policy, and technology regulation.

TRUMP PRAISES NEW UK PRIME MINISTER

Despite initially describing Burnham as "extremely liberal", Trump later offered warm words after speaking with the new British leader. He said they discussed trade, defence, North Sea oil, the military alliance and efforts to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz.

"The Prime Minister has got a big job ahead of him, but he will be able to do it and, of course, the USA will be there to help!" Trump said.

"The call was interesting, and went very well. I wished Prime Minister Burnham, GOOD LUCK AND GODSPEED!"

Downing Street said both leaders looked forward to speaking again soon and agreed to meet in person in the near future. However, differences may already be emerging over energy policy. While Trump has urged Britain to expand North Sea oil production, Burnham's government has so far stopped short of committing to new exploration licences.

NO EARLY GENERAL ELECTION BEFORE 2029

Burnham also sought to end speculation that he could call an early general election.

"I'm going to rule it out. Yeah, there's no early general election. I don't think people want it," he said.

He said his priority was governing the country rather than preparing for another national vote, adding that his focus remained on improving Britain's economy and public services.

Defence spending was another major focus of Burnham's interview. The UK Prime Minister said he remained "absolutely committed" to Britain's pledge to NATO to increase defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP by 2035.

However, he stopped short of committing to reaching 3 per cent of GDP by 2030, a target that had been strongly backed by his new Chancellor John Healey during the previous government.

"The first challenge ... is to ensure that the defence investment plan is fully funded, and that's the thing that's right in front of us, and we need to work that through as we go towards the budget later this year."

Burnham's comments offer the clearest indication yet of how Britain's new leader intends to balance close cooperation with the Donald Trump administration.

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With inputs from agencies