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Burnham’s first moves
Andy Burnham became the United Kingdom’s prime minister on Monday and, before taking office, delivered a high-profile shift on Israel’s offensive in Gaza by saying, “We’ve got to do more to put pressure on the Israeli government,” and that “The UK was too slow to call for a ceasefire.”
““We’ve got to do more to put pressure on the Israeli government”
Burnham’s stance also contrasted with Keir Starmer’s earlier reaction to Gaza, which El País says went so far as to justify Benjamin Netanyahu’s government cutting off water and electricity to the Strip as a pressure tactic.
On Europe, Brussels unilaterally decided to postpone a bilateral summit scheduled for July 22, with no set date for the meeting where progress had been expected on youth mobility and relaxation of phytosanitary customs checks.
El País adds that Burnham tied his Europe decisions to the 2024 election manifesto red lines of no common customs territory, no return to the single market, and no free movement of people, while also writing in an opinion piece for The Times that he wanted to strengthen cooperation on illegal migration, economic security, and resilience against external threats.
The Guardian frames Burnham’s approach as largely domestic, noting he has prioritized devolving powers to regions and cities and extending state control of vital industries rather than foreign policy, even as it says he has an opportunity to review Labour’s red lines on relations with the EU.
EU and Trump reactions
European leaders moved quickly to congratulate Burnham, with António Costa telling him in a message that “En los últimos dos años, las relaciones entre la UE y Reino Unido han ganado un nuevo impulso positivo,” and adding that “Reino Unido y la Unión Europea son más fuertes juntos.”
Ursula von der Leyen also used social media to say, “Espero trabajar contigo para fortalecer la asociación UE-Reino Unido,” linking the relationship to “la seguridad de nuestro continente compartido” and “la prosperidad de las personas a ambos lados del Canal.”
On the United States, Northeastern Global News says Burnham’s relationship with Donald Trump is “essentially a blank slate,” quoting Josephine Harmon that “Burnham is untested regarding his approach to managing relations with the Trump administration.”
Northeastern Global News also reports that Trump wrote on Truth Social that people in Aberdeen were “dancing in the streets” after Burnham said he intended to open up drilling in the nearby North Sea oilfields.
The same Northeastern account says Burnham is likely to continue Starmer’s support for NATO and Ukraine, while Julie Garey adds that “there’s increasing recognition of the value of coordination in ensuring European security moving forward.”
What’s at stake next
The next phase of Burnham’s agenda, as described by El País, includes consolidating progress in UK-EU negotiations while strengthening cooperation on illegal immigration, economic security, and resilience against external threats, “from terrorism to AI-driven disinformation.”
“from terrorism to AI-driven disinformation”
El País also says Brussels postponed the July 22 summit and that there is still no defined date, with progress expected on youth mobility and the relaxation of phytosanitary customs checks.
In parallel, the stakes for Britain’s external alignment are tied to Ukraine and NATO, with El País stating Burnham inherits “unconditional support for Ukraine against Russian aggression” and that a meeting with the Ukrainian president and another with NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte would top the agenda.
The Guardian adds that European governments may be receptive on defence and security cooperation but remain wary of UK attempts to “cherrypick the benefits of the EU market without the responsibilities,” including paying for market access and allowing free movement of persons.
On Israel, multiple outlets depict a potential rupture point in Burnham’s tone, with 24matins saying he believes London must increase pressure on the Israeli government in light of the situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, and that his line rests on respecting the referendum while considering the rupture detrimental.