Andy Burnham and Donald Trump are heading towards their first major disagreement over the future of oil and gas drilling in the North Sea, following a misunderstanding during a phone call.
Trump's understanding vs Burnham's clarification
On Wednesday, the US President said he had been given the impression by the Prime Minister that he would “open up” the oil field – a demand Trump has been making for months. However, on Thursday, Mr Burnham indicated he would take a “pragmatic” approach rather than committing to new licences.
“I indicated in the phone call that we had a week last Monday that I would take a pragmatic approach when it comes to the North Sea, and that is my intention as we go forward from here,” Mr Burnham said during a visit to Barrow in Cumbria. “There is a resource there. When people are struggling, we can't ignore that. Hence, me indicating that to the president.”
But the Mirror understands Burnham is likely to keep to Labour's manifesto pledge not to offer new drilling licences in the oil field, instead permitting “tie-backs” that allow small-scale increases in drilling adjacent to already approved fields.
Trump's reaction and motivations
During a Q&A in the Oval Office, Trump seized on the idea that Burnham is considering fresh licences. “He did say one good thing, he said he's going to open up the North Sea. If he does that, you're going to be a wealthy country, if he does that reasonably,” Trump said.
The US President's push for North Sea drilling has personal roots. In 2012, he was involved in a legal battle with the Scottish government over plans to build 11 wind turbines off the coast of Aberdeenshire, near one of his golf courses. He objected, arguing they would ruin the view from his luxury resort, but lost the case after appeals up to the UK Supreme Court.
Trump has linked his opposition to wind farms with his calls for oil drilling. Last week, after his phone call with Burnham, he said more drilling would allow the UK to “move the old and horrible looking windmills, which loom over and destroy the City of Aberdeen”.
