Andy Burnham used his first speech to the UN to talk up Britain's place in global politics for the coming years, promising world leaders they can 'count on us'. In a wide-ranging address, the new Prime Minister launched a blistering attack on Russia, announced a new international security deal with the US just hours after meeting Donald Trump, renewed calls for a two-state solution in the Middle East, and launched two major domestic policies.
Blistering attack on Russia
The summit in New York was seen as Burnham's first major test as an international diplomat since becoming Prime Minister in July. Over the last few hours, he met with numerous world leaders for the first time, including Donald Trump, and used his 21-minute speech to set out his vision for British diplomatic leadership.
After Burnham took to the stage and mentioned Brexit, briefly, it quickly became clear who the villain of his speech was going to be: Russia. He then launched a blistering attack on Kremlin interference with British life, as Putin's delegation watched on.
The PM said: "Russian agencies have used every means at their disposal to spread lies and disinformation and prey on people's fear.
"They've used bots and fake websites. Falsified newspaper articles. Forged the branding of 28 British organisations – including universities and the BBC. They've amplified far-right narratives.
"And we have evidence that they tried to interfere with the 2019 General Election."
He added Putin's government spends '£1.3 billion' on 'manipulating information'.
"We also know that they have tried to stoke tensions and unrest in the wake of horrific events," Burnham continued. "The idea that anyone would try to use such things to their advantage is just repulsive – but it is what they do." Russia has previously been accused of using illicitly acquired documents about UK-US trade talks to try to influence the 2019 contest. Chillingly, the Russian delegation showed little emotion when Burnham put these charges to them.
New National Centre for Information Defence
From his attack on Russia, Burnham announced one of two new domestic policies highlighted in the speech. He is creating a new National Centre for Information Defence that will tackle online lies and deepfakes damaging British interests. The new unit is initially being led out of the Office for the Prime Minister and Cabinet, with the new centre working alongside intelligence agencies, government departments, the police and social media companies.
After raising the 'insidious campaign' orchestrated by the Kremlin, Burnham said the new unit will be necessary as 'AI will multiply the threat' already posed by bad actors online.
10-year plan for Britain unveiled
The new government is set to unveil a new decade-long plan for the country later this year, Burnham revealed for the first time at the UN. It will focus on getting more people into work – especially young people – and easing the cost-of-living crisis for most people, Burnham said, but he did not announce any specific measures at the time.
However, it appears Burnham is selling this new plan as a response to insecurity. He said 'security starts in every home', and he believes getting more people in work means they are less susceptible to falling foul of misinformation online.
He said: "Part of the challenge is to lift our people up and create the opportunities they need. When inequalities grow too wide, our societies are at greater risk.
"So we will work to make life more affordable for people. That will be at the heart of a new 10 year plan for Britain that we will bring forward later in the year."
AI defence partnership with the US
Just hours after first meeting Donald Trump, Burnham announced a new national security deal with the US as part of a section of his address which touched on AI fears. He told delegates: "I am announcing today that we are developing a new AI defence partnership with the United States to protect our critical national infrastructure." Details of the deal have not been revealed.
Burnham went on to say that, as 'AI will also be a source of disruption to the way we live and work', he wants the UK to act as an 'honest broker' to draw up 'a single set of global principles and standards' for the development of frontier AI.
Two-state solution for Gaza
As his speech started to draw to a close, Burnham turned his attention to the Middle East, and renewed calls for a two-state solution in Gaza. He condemned Hamas' 2023 attack on Israel as 'utterly horrific', but then said of Israel's response in the years since: "Far too many people have died, including so many children. Far too little aid is getting in, and it has gone on for far too long."
That was why the UK 'banned trading goods with illegal settlements, recognised the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territory is unlawful, and sanctioned those taking part in the construction of illegal settlements' earlier this month, he said. But Burnham looked to the future and said the two-state solution must 'stay alive'.
He added: "We want to see the suffering and death finally come to an end. We want to see Israeli and Palestinian people living side by side in peace and security. And we will do all we can to keep the hope of that possibility alive."
'Britain is back... count on us'
Burnham's opening gambit was to tell the world 'Britain is back' – and after 20 minutes, he clarified that meant global politicians can 'count on us' in the years to come. He concluded his speech by saying: "You can count on us to stand up for those long standing British values of fairness and justice.
"Count on us to fight racism, discrimination and the abuse of power wherever we see it. Count on us to bring people together.
"Count on us to meet fear and division with unity and hope."
