Prime Minister Andy Burnham has declared his readiness to publicly challenge United States President Donald Trump if it serves Britain's national interest, a stance he outlined in his first major interview since taking office.

Speaking exclusively to the BBC, Burnham, who assumed the role of prime minister recently, indicated that his primary duty is to defend the United Kingdom's interests above all else. This principle, he stressed, would guide his interactions with international leaders, including the US president.

Burnham described his initial exchange with Trump as positive, finding the president to be "really warm." However, when pressed on whether he trusted the US president, Burnham offered a nuanced response, stating, "it's a changing world... and you just obviously have to call things as they develop." He further elaborated that he could not rule out disagreeing with Trump, adding, "I will need to voice a different idea that is right for Britain."

This assertion of independent judgment comes as the prime minister prepares to navigate complex international relations. Burnham's commitment to prioritizing national interest suggests a foreign policy approach centered on pragmatic defense of UK objectives, even if it means diverging from key allies.

Burnham also touched upon concerns regarding potential international conflict, specifically mentioning apprehension about the president initiating conflict with Iran. He affirmed his intention to speak his mind on such matters, stating, "I wouldn't hold back from saying what I think is right." This indicates a willingness to engage in direct dialogue and express concerns on critical global security issues.

The prime minister also addressed domestic policy, specifically defense spending. While his new Chancellor, John Healey, had previously resigned from the prior government over a lack of commitment to spending 3% of GDP on defense by 2030, Burnham indicated that addressing defense investment is a top priority. He stated that working out "the way of doing that" is the immediate challenge for him and his chancellor, with a budget later in the year.

In a move to provide stability, Burnham explicitly dismissed the possibility of an early general election before 2029, stating, "I'm going to rule it out... I don't think people want it." He emphasized his focus on "getting the country back where it should be" as his primary objective during his term.

The full interview, offering deeper insights into Burnham's policy priorities and leadership style, is scheduled to be broadcast later this week.