Andy Burnham's stance on North Sea oil helps get new Prime Minister off to good start

Andy Burnham visited BAE Systems in Barrow in Furness, northern England yesterday (Picture: Christopher Furlong/pool) | AFP via Getty Images

In contrast to the many missteps of stumbling Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham has barely put a foot wrong since moving into 10 Downing Street.

Of course, he’s been helped by the fact that parliament is not in session and he has not had to take any really tough decisions so far. However, politics is difficult. As Starmer showed, even reasonably smart, apparently capable politicians can get off to the worst of starts. Burnham’s relatively good one suggests he may have the kind of nous all political leaders need.

His first instruction, to end rough sleeping, underlined his sense of moral purpose. And who could disagree? Then came a VAT cut on energy bills.

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‘People are struggling’

His decision to include the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats in talks about social care reform showed a welcome willingness to work with others. If he’s genuine about putting the national interest above petty politics, the other parties have a duty to work with him.

Burnham has also committed to sticking to Labour’s fiscal rules – so important to market confidence – although there are still concerns he might try to bend them.

And now he has said he told US President Donald Trump during a phonecall that he would “take a pragmatic approach when it comes to the North Sea”. “There is a resource there. When people are struggling, we can’t ignore that,” he added, when asked about Trump’s account of the conversation.

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Importance of net zero

There is a debate over whether approving the Jackdaw gas field and the Rosebank oil field would break Labour’s manifesto. However, given it’s arguable either way, the importance to the North East economy, and the minor effect they would have on climate change, he should give both the green light. When the consultations end next month, Burnham must not delay.

However, unlike Trump, who claimed wind turbines were one of the UK’s two biggest problems (with immigration supposedly the other), Burnham must be equally pragmatic about the renewable energy industry and the need to make progress towards net zero.

Trump may be determined to live in the past, but the future is crystal clear and the UK must grasp it with both hands.