Likely UK PM Andy Burnham Snubs US Embassy's Independence Day Party Amid Trump's 'Extremely Liberal' Label
The U.S. Embassy's 250th anniversary celebration in London will proceed without Britain's expected next prime minister, who cited a 'scheduling clash.'
Quick Look
- Britain's likely next prime minister, Andy Burnham, will skip the U.S.
- Embassy's 250th independence anniversary party in London due to a "scheduling clash." This comes after U.S.
- President Donald Trump dismissed Burnham as "extremely liberal." The event at Winfield House will host 2,500 guests, while the Swiss Embassy holds a rival soiree.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The U.S. Embassy in London is hosting a summer party to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, an event typically attended by high-profile political figures.
LONDON — The U.S. Embassy’s glitzy summer party celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence will bring together ministers, military brass, industry titans and ambassadors in London on Tuesday night.
But Britain's likely next prime minister, Andy Burnham, is sitting this one out.
A spokesperson for Burnham — who is widely expected to become PM on July 20 — told POLITICO that he had turned down an invite due to a “scheduling clash.”
Speaking to reporters last week, U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed Burnham as the former “mayor of a town” and labeled him as “extremely liberal.”
The Grand American Jubilee is set to attract roughly 2,500 guests to Winfield House, U.S. Ambassador Warren Stephens’ official residence in Regent’s Park, where invitees will squeeze past U.S. Marines and into the gardens.
Stephens has issued fewer invites to the party this year than usual, according to two people familiar with the planning, granted anonymity to speak freely. Up to 4,500 guests have attended in previous years.
Invitations have been sent to every major party leader. Previous attendees include former Prime Minister Liz Truss, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and outgoing U.K. PM Keir Starmer, who attended in 2023 before he entered office.
Guests will be entertained by country music star Tim McGraw — and fireworks so loud that special permission had to be secured after a previous year’s explosions unsettled the animals in nearby London Zoo, according to one of the people cited above.
The U.S. Embassy did not respond to a request for comment.
The American bash in Regent’s Park isn’t the only hot diplomatic ticket in London on Tuesday night. The Swiss Embassy’s Soireé Suisse takes place on the same evening at the Victoria & Albert Museum.
The Swiss are pulling out all the stops to try to beat their rivals: a flying buffet, raclette stations, an ice bar, mountains of swiss cheese, and DJ sets inspired by Alpine glaciers. Two U.K-based diplomats said some are plotting a shuttle operation between the two receptions.
Open Questions
- What specific scheduling clash prevented Andy Burnham's attendance?
- How will the U.S. Embassy or White House respond to Burnham's absence?
- Will Trump's comments affect future U.S.-U.K. diplomatic engagements?
