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What do UK party leaders think ahead of Donald Trump’s second inauguration as US President?

From Nigel Farage attending Donald Trump’s inauguration to Liz Truss wearing a MAGA hat, UK politicians are reacting to Trump’s second term starting today.
Image: Gade Skidmore
Image: Gade Skidmore

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Donald Trump is set to assume the White House for the second time today, and leaders from UK parties have begun to make their statements regarding the new President of the United States.

In the past few months, Donald Trump and his right-hand man, Elon Musk, have been very active commenting on UK politics, with the latter publicly supporting Reform UK while also calling for the party’s current leader, Nigel Farage, to be replaced. However, this seems not to have damaged Farage’s relationship with the incoming president as he was still on the invite list for Trump’s inauguration.

Here is a rundown of the statements and reactions ahead of Trump’s inauguration.

Labour Party

Ahead of the inauguration, Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that he hopes the UK-USA relationship will “flourish under Donald Trump’s term.” As well, he highlighted the need for collaboration and a transatlantic partnership.

Since Trump won the American election, Keir Starmer has been preoccupied with his country’s position between the US and the EU. The BBC reports that the Prime Minister has been holding mini cabinet meetings to prepare for a potentially unpredictable Trump.

As for himself, Starmer has been cautious about how to manage the complex relationship with Trump. Differences on trade tariffs and support for Ukraine may inhibit the closeness of their relationship. 

This past Friday, Starmer chose Lord Mandelson to be his ambassador in Washington, DC. Mandelson recently wrote an article for Fox News in which he praised Trump, saying his term will be “one of the most consequential presidencies in modern times.”

However, Starmer’s Labour colleague Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, stated in the Observer that Trump’s return will lead to a “century-defining battle against resurgent fascism” and that the “stakes for liberal democracy couldn’t be higher.”

Conservative Party

Priti Patel, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, will be representing the Conservative party at Trump’s inauguration. Patel has been a vocal supporter of Trump and declared that it is essential that the current government keep a positive relationship with the United States.

She commented about Trump being within his right to impose tariffs, such as implementing 20% on all goods coming into the country, and that the current government should be open to negotiating with Trump.

In an interview with The Times, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch expressed her belief that Trump would have a positive impact on the world. In the past, critics have accused Badenoch of courting Trump and seeking to establish intimate ties with US Republicans.

Reform UK

Nigel Farage was one of the only British politicians on Trump’s exclusive invite list for his inauguration. Farage and his party had been very vocal in their support for Trump since a month before the election. Reform UK celebrated Trump’s victory once it had been declared.

Farage posted a picture of himself in Washington, DC, at a Trump victory rally with a massive smile. The Independent reported that Trump supported Farage at this event and even declared him “the next Prime Minister.”

He answered that he believes they could win the next elections, and hopefully he can become Prime Minister while Trump is still in office.

Liberal Democrats

Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, stated in a press release that he is deeply worried for millions in the UK and around the world ahead of Trump’s return to the White House. He writes that “with a president who promises trade wars, undermines NATO, and praises Vladimir Putin, the threats to our national security and our economy are clear.”

Davey added that meanwhile the leader of Reform UK “toadies up” with Trump and Musk; his party will be working hard for the UK communities and pressing the government to strengthen relationships with Europe as a priority to “strengthen Britain’s hand” against Trump. 

Green Party

The Co-leaders of the Green Party Adrian Ramsay and Carla Denyer released a statement which also warned against the consequences of a second Trump presidency. They stated that “we must stand up for peace and democracy in what will be a dangerous turn toward right-wing populism in the wake of Donald Trump taking office.”

They go on to declare that “President Trump is a misogynist, a racist, a convicted criminal and, we believe, a fascist.”

The Green Party leaders suggest that the antidote to right-wing populism is addressing economic inequality. This involves tackling issues such as “low wages, insecure work, decimated public services” and “the impact of the climate crisis.”

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