Ed Miliband appeared to struggle to stay awake during Andy Burnham’s first address to the United Nations General Assembly, briefly drawing attention away from the Prime Minister’s speech. Burnham used the appearance to call for international cooperation on artificial intelligence, warning that its benefits and risks required safeguards and government involvement rather than control being left solely to technology companies.

Burnham also accused Russia of using disinformation to exploit divisions in Britain and interfere in democratic processes, while warning that the UK would defend its territories, including the Falkland Islands. He linked international issues to domestic priorities such as living costs and economic security, and held meetings with Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky and Ursula von der Leyen, discussing subjects including trade, energy, Ukraine, Iran and AI.