Donald Trump has delivered his verdict on Sir Keir Starmer's chances if a leadership bid goes forward. The US president admitted Starmer is 'weak' on immigration and questioned his ability to survive the crisis.
It appears the Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham, is making a Hail Mary attempt to return to Westminster, announcing that he will stand in the Makerfield by-election. He follows the announcement by Wes Streeting, confirming he was stepping down as the Health Secretary.
Trump's Assessment
However, Starmer has been clear he intends to go nowhere, an assertion the US president appears to be doubtful of. Asked by journalists whether the Prime Minister will come out of the crisis still in the driving seat, Trump said: 'It's a tough thing.'
'Unless he can straighten out immigration, where he's weak, and if he doesn't start drilling and stop with the windmills all over the place that are causing havoc.'
Asked if he should quit, Trump added: 'I don't say [that]. I think he's a nice man, actually. But I mean, I didn't like what he said 'We're going to send ships as soon as you're finished with the war'. Well, we are sort of finished militarily, pretty much.'
Energy Policy Under Fire
He was then asked about the North Sea, to which he was clear: Starmer has 'got to open up the North Sea' for drilling. On Air Force One, Trump continued: 'He's got to do energy, he's got to open up the North Sea. He's got one of the greatest oil finds anywhere in the world, and he's not using, and I tell him that he's not using it.'
He added: 'The oil companies call me every day, 'Please, please, we want to go to the North Sea'. He doesn't allow it to happen.'
