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US President Donald Trump criticised outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday after the Labour leader announced his resignation, accusing him of mishandling energy policy, immigration, and relations with Washington.
Trump said Starmer had “really hurt himself” by failing to exploit North Sea oil and allowing “windmills all over the place” Source: SCMP. He noted that the UK buys much of its energy from Norway, which draws from the North Sea, while the UK has a larger share but avoids extraction for environmental reasons Source: CNA. Trump also listed immigration and crime as key weaknesses Source: SCMP.
Trump revealed a clash over the use of RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus for strikes in Iran, saying Starmer initially refused permission—calling it “a first”—before relenting Source: CNA. He said this delay was “a bad move” that “hurt him badly” Source: SCMP.
Starmer announced his resignation after months of pressure from Labour lawmakers and poor local election results, but will remain prime minister during an orderly transition Source: CNA. Veteran Labour politician Andy Burnham is widely expected to succeed him, potentially becoming Britain’s seventh prime minister in a decade Source: CNA.
““I think he’s a lovely man,” Trump told reporters at an Oval Office event, before accusing Starmer of mishandling Britain’s energy policy by failing to exploit North Sea oil and allowing “windmills all over the place”.”
““He said we can’t use the island to land. That was a first,” Trump said, adding that Starmer had eventually relented but that “was a bad move” that “hurt him badly”.”
““I wish him well,” Trump said. “But he’s got two problems: energy and immigration – and crime. But energy and immigration. He’s really hurt himself very, very badly.””
“Trump, who had predicted Starmer’s departure in a Truth Social post, said the British leader was “sort of a friend of mine” but had not been supportive enough of the United States on Nato and the Iran war.”