Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Foreign Secretary David Lammy Congratulate on ‘Historic Victory’…reports Asian Lite News
UK is preparing to recalibrate its relationship with the US as Prime Minister Keir Starmer congratulated President-elect Donald Trump on his unexpected return to the White House. Trump’s victory, which came after a bitterly contested campaign, promises a significant shift in American leadership, and Starmer has expressed the UK’s readiness to work with Trump’s administration.
In his message, Starmer commended Trump on a “historic election victory” and emphasised the enduring strength of the UK-US alliance, known as the “special relationship.” He stated, “As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defense of our shared values of freedom, democracy, and enterprise.”
“Congratulations President-elect Trump on your historic election victory,” the prime minister said. “I look forward to working with you in the years ahead. As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of our shared values of freedom, democracy, and enterprise,” he added, “From growth and security to innovation and tech, I know that the UK-US special relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic for years to come.”
Starmer’s remarks reflect his willingness to maintain strong ties with the US regardless of its leadership, a principle he upheld throughout the election. Ahead of the vote, Starmer had refrained from backing either candidate, declaring, “It’s for the American people to decide who they want for their president.” The decision to remain neutral during the US election underscores Starmer’s belief in respecting American democratic processes and suggests his intention to forge diplomatic ties with any president.
These sentiments were echoed by Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who also extended congratulations to Trump.
Lammy tweeted on X: “The UK has no greater friend than the US, with the special relationship being cherished on both sides of the Atlantic for more than 80 years. We look forward to working with you and JD Vance in the years ahead.”
Lammy’s warm message of solidarity is notable given his previous criticism of Trump. In 2017, he had condemned Trump as a “KKK/neo-Nazi sympathiser” and vowed to protest if Trump visited London. His turnaround reflects a diplomatic pivot, focusing on the importance of fostering international alliances, particularly with a close ally like the United States.
Another figure celebrating Trump’s victory was Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK and Member of Parliament for Clacton. Farage has long supported Trump, both ideologically and practically, even attending Trump’s post-election address in Florida. He praised Trump for assembling a “remarkable coalition,” one that includes the billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, who owns X, and even a member of the Kennedy family. According to Farage, the coalition marks a significant shift in American politics and an unprecedented alliance across different political backgrounds.
Farage characterised Trump as a “genuine radical,” predicting that the president-elect would challenge the existing political establishment. He anticipated that Musk would play a leading role in what he described as a “big fightback against the administrative bureaucratic state, which is far too big, far too powerful, and actually very undemocratic.” Farage’s prediction signals an expected push by Trump to dismantle parts of the federal bureaucracy, a stance likely to appeal to Trump’s conservative base, which advocates for smaller government and fewer regulations.
During a BBC Radio 4 interview, Farage expressed confidence in Trump’s victory, noting that he “wasn’t surprised” by the result. “No, absolutely not. I really wasn’t. I’d been feeling very bullish about the thing all day,” he said. Farage attributed Trump’s success to his broad appeal across diverse groups, including Hispanic voters, Jewish voters, and young voters. Trump’s coalition managed to attract more support from these demographics than any Republican candidate in recent history, suggesting a shift in the party’s outreach strategy.
In his victory speech at his Florida campaign headquarters, Trump celebrated a “magnificent victory” and declared a “powerful mandate” to carry out his agenda. His address, which lasted nearly 25 minutes, conveyed his intention to bridge political divides, calling for unity and a focus on American prosperity. “America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate,” he told supporters, who had gathered to witness what Trump called a “magnificent victory” for the country. He added, “It’s time to put the divisions of the past four years behind us. It’s time to unite … success will bring us together.”
Trump’s speech underscored the message of his campaign: a return to American greatness by prioritizing national interests and tackling issues that he claims have plagued the country under previous administrations. He also celebrated the success of his “MAGA movement,” crediting it with Republican wins in Senate and House races. These victories, he argued, amounted to a “powerful mandate” from the American people, not only to enact his policies but to continue the Republican Party’s conservative agenda. Trump praised Senate Republicans for reclaiming the upper chamber and expressed support for House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.
Although the final control of the House remains unclear, Republican wins in the Senate signal an advantage for Trump in appointing cabinet members and pushing forward his legislative goals. Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, called the election outcome “the greatest political comeback in American history,” highlighting the significance of Trump’s return to office.
In a surprising nod to Musk’s role in the campaign, Trump referred to the billionaire tech mogul as a “star,” recognizing Musk’s financial contributions and influence. “A star is born – Elon,” Trump said. Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, reportedly poured millions into Trump’s campaign, and his support aligns with Trump’s goal of revitalising American innovation and technology.
Trump also hinted at a sense of destiny in his victory, saying, “Many people have told me that God spared my life for a reason. And that reason was to save our country and to restore America to greatness. And now we are going to fulfill that mission together.”
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