Donald Trump has claimed that Andy Burnham “will be opening up, all the way, the invaluable North Sea Oil” and move the “horrible looking windmills”.The celebratory post on TruthSocial claimed that the people of Scotland were “dancing in the streets” over the incumbent prime minister’s alleged position change on the North Sea, yet to be confirmed in policy.Labour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell dismissed speculation around this as she told BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg: “I think what Andy’s talking about is taking a more pragmatic approach and working with the industry to make sure it can contribute to that transition and to the mix that is needed over the long term.”The North Sea has remained a point of division between the US president and Sir Keir Starmer, as energy security minister Ed Miliband remained reticent around increased drilling in the oil fields.Previously Trump said of Mr Burnham: “I hear he’s extremely liberal, extremely, so that means he probably won’t open up the North Sea.”Mr Burnham will enter 10 Downing Street on Monday as speculation continues to grow around who will be in his Cabinet.Former head of British Army condemns idea of Wes Streeting as defence secretaryLord Dannatt, former head of the British Army, has expressed disappointment at the idea of Wes Streeting coming into the Ministry of Defence, claiming the former health secretary knows “the square root of nothing” about defence.He told Lewis Goodall on LBC: “Defence is a complex portfolio, it takes time to understand it. He's got no background in it. Dan Jarvis has got a very good background in it. John Healey had experience in that role.”I would be very disappointed to see someone like Wes Streeting coming in who knows pretty much the square root of nothing about defence and would have to start from square one, and that will just take time, energy from people to brief him before he's in a position to start making decisions.”He added that Dan Jarvis, set to be left without a Cabinet role as Andy Burnham steps in, “could do a really good job” if given the funds to step GDP investment up to 3.5 per cent by 2035.Bryony Gooch19 July 2026 16:00Donald Trump claims Burnham will open up the North Sea 'all the way'US president Donald Trump has claimed that Andy Burnham will open up the North Sea "all the way".He posted on Truth Social: “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! “Britain pays Norway Billions of Dollars a year to buy its Oil, which they get from a less valuable part of the North Sea — How ridiculous is that! “Also, word is that the UK is going to move the old and horrible looking windmills, which loom over and destroy the City of Aberdeen. “That will be a big day for the Country, and will be very much appreciated by everybody.”(Screenshot/ TruthSocial @realDonaldTrump)Bryony Gooch19 July 2026 15:43Thames Water creditors open to talks with Andy Burnham on more ‘public control’Investors in Thames Water have said they are willing to discuss greater “public control” of the utility amid reports Andy Burnham could temporarily nationalise the struggling company.Turnaround specialist Mike McTighe, who is working with the largest group of Thames Water’s creditors, said UK and international investors were willing to work with incoming ministers to “rebuild confidence” in the debt-laden firm.Mr McTighe said: “We are keen to meet new ministers as soon as possible to discuss how we can work together in the best interests of customers, including by enhancing public control of the company’s operations.“We remain ready and willing to recapitalise Thames Water, return it to investment grade, and begin the long process of turning it around.“We urgently need Government engagement to begin that process.”Bryony Gooch19 July 2026 15:40Lucy Powell sets outline of what 'authentically Labour' means ahead of Burnham's arrival at 10 Downing Street on MondayThe deputy Labour leader was sure to outline what Andy Burnham meant by Labour becoming “authentically Labour”.Lucy Powell said on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: “It's not trying to out-Reform Reform, it's not trying to out-Green the Greens.“It's about giving people, ordinary people, security in work, security in their home, a home they can afford, and live in a community that they can feel proud of and.“Knowing that their children are gonna have a opportunity for the future.”These are the sort of basic essentials that ordinary people aspire to, want to have, and they want to know they've got a government on their side, and it does mean taking on some of the vested and private interests that have for too long governed this country.“We have seen an over centralised political base, which has meant that too many communities have been left behind, and we have seen an economy that's been overly-privatised and and that the utilities and the essentials of life don't work in the interests of ordinary people, so giving people that agency as well.”Bryony Gooch19 July 2026 15:20Bryony Gooch19 July 2026 15:00Badenoch criticises 'people pleaser' BurnhamKemi Badenoch criticised “people pleaser” Andy Burnham in an interview on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.She reshared a clip of the interview on social media: “We all want Andy Burnham to do well but Britain does not need a people pleaser in Downing Street. Andy Burnham can tour the country and promise everything to everyone. “But sooner or later, he must face scrutiny, answer tough questions and tell us what his plan actually is.”Bryony Gooch19 July 2026 14:40Watch: Burnham spends weekend on run with Mo FarahAhead of his move into 10 Downing Street, Andy Burnham has posted a video on social media of him running around the capital with Mo Farah.Bryony Gooch19 July 2026 14:20Bryony Gooch19 July 2026 14:00Bryony Gooch19 July 2026 13:40Burnham urged to work with other parties to reform social careAndy Burnham has been urged to work with other parties after vowing to “grasp the nettle” of reforming social care.The incoming prime minister has promised to “spend political capital” on addressing England’s “broken” social care system, describing it as a “massive” priority for the public.As Mr Burnham prepares to enter Downing Street on Monday, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said he had already written to him to offer his support for cross-party talks.Sir Ed, who has made reforming social care a central focus for his leadership, said it was vital that Mr Burnham worked with other parties on the issue.He told Times Radio: “My red line is if he just does it by himself and doesn’t talk to anybody, because that is the way to fail.“Year after year, government after government, prime minister after prime minister, if they haven’t engaged cross-party, it just won’t stick.”(Getty)Bryony Gooch19 July 2026 13:20