Keir Starmer today congratulated Donald Trump on his “historic victory” after sweeping the swing states.
The Republican is preparing for an extraordinary return to the presidency, as the world prepares for his bullish approach.
And Sir Keir faces a particular challenge after tensions arose over Labor supporters helping to campaign for the Democratic challenger.
The prime minister has also repeatedly clashed with billionaire Elon Musk, who is sure to end up playing a key role in the Trump administration.
Sir Keir said in a statement this morning: “Congratulations President-elect Trump on your historic election victory.” I look forward to working with you for years to come.
‘As the closest allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defense of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise.
“From growth and security to innovation and technology, I know the special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States will continue to thrive on both sides of the Atlantic for years to come.”
Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who once branded Trump a “neo-Nazi sympathizing sociopath”, said: “The UK has no greater friend than the United States, and the special relationship is appreciated on both sides of the Atlantic. for more than 80 years.” . We look forward to working with you and @JDVance for years to come.”
Sir Keir ordered cabinet ministers to remain silent about the election for fear of further aggravating the situation. But the parliamentarians have not been able are reluctant to express their dismay on social media this morning.
Meanwhile, jubilant reform MPs have been demanding that Sir Keir uses Nigel Farage’s close friendship with Trump to shore up the Special Relationship.
Keir Starmer is bracing for the fallout of a possible Donald Trump presidency today as Labor MPs quietly hope for a Kamala Harris victory.
The Prime Minister has also repeatedly clashed with billionaire Elon Musk, who could end up playing a key role in a Trump administration (pictured) if the Republic emerges victorious.
Sir Keir said in a statement this morning that he “looks forward to working with” Trump “over the coming years.”
Nigel Farage said the UK must ‘roll out the red carpet’ for Trump
Labor MPs took to social media to respond to Trump’s US election victory
Conservative leader Andrew Griffith mocked Labor for sending activists to help Harris’ candidacy.
MPs couldn’t resist expressing their dismay at Kamala Harris’ (pictured) defeat on social media this morning.
Government sources have been hyping up a private dinner Sir Keir and Foreign Secretary David Lammy had with Trump in New York in September, insisting they had struck up a good relationship.
But during the bitter campaign, Trump’s team filed an official complaint with federal election authorities accusing the Labor Party of making “illegal contributions from foreign nationals.”
Around 100 activists traveled to swing states to campaign for Harris’ candidacy, although Labor insisted they were going on their own.
There was also anger that senior party figures attended the Democratic National Convention in August and met with Harris aides. The two parties have long-term ties.
In interviews at the Commonwealth summit in Samoa last month, Sir Keir sought to dispel fears that the dispute could derail the Special Relationship if Trump wins.
He insisted that it was necessary to “put the situation into perspective,” since party volunteers have gone to help in “all previous elections.”
As a backbencher in 2018, Lammy wrote in Time magazine: “Trump is not just a woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathizing sociopath.
“It is also a profound threat to the international order that has been the basis of Western progress for so long.”
And in a 2018 Times article ahead of Trump’s first visit to the UK, Lammy pledged to be one of the “tens of thousands in the streets, protesting our government’s capitulation to this toupee-wearing tyrant.”
In a round of interviews yesterday, Health Secretary Wes Streeting was asked his opinion on the election.
Conservative MPs ridiculed Lammy for his abrupt turn towards Trump
He joked: “I have a lot of ideas, but I’m not going to share them as a government minister.”
Streeting came under fire for a 2017 social media post in which he described Trump as a “hateful, sad little man,” adding, “Imagine being proud to have him as your president.”
He told Good Morning Britain: “The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have been working hard to build a relationship with President Trump and his team so that, should he be elected as the next president of the United States , let’s start with the strong working relationship that is in our national interest and also in that of the United States.
“And it’s not often that I pray and help Nigel Farage, the leader of the Reform Party, but, as he said overnight, President Trump, you know, speaks what he finds.”
‘He had a very good meeting with Keir Starmer not long ago and of course he will be aware of the things we have all said in the past…’
Streeting said: “The important thing about this relationship, this transatlantic relationship, is one of the most important alliances that Britain has.
Jubilant reform MPs have been demanding Sir Keir use Nigel Farage’s close friendship with Trump to shore up the special relationship.
Some Labor MPs could not resist reposting pro-Democratic messages during the campaign, despite Sir Keir urging people to stick to his advice.
‘We have shared values and strategic interests, and with war on our continent, in Ukraine, war in the Middle East and wider geopolitical threats, it is in the national interests of the UK and the US to work closely together.
“That won’t change, whoever occupies the Oval Office, and now we only have a few hours to wait until the polls close.”
Senior government sources have poured cold water on Farage’s suggestion that he could act as a “conduit” between his former ally Trump and the UK government.
“That’s very nice of you,” said one witheringly.