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Donald Trump elected as next president: UK politicians react

UK politicians had mixed reaction to Donald Trump’s presidential election victory.

The Republican will return to the White House in January next year after beating Democrat candidate Kamala Harris.

UK politicians from all parties took to X to give their thoughts.

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was looking forward to working with the 47th president in a signed post on X. 

He said: “As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise.”

Nigel Farage, a Trump ally currently in America supporting the candidate, hailed the result as the biggest political comeback in a lifetime.

He wrote: “He’s done it again. The most incredible political comeback of our lifetime.”

David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary – who spoke out against Trump’s travel to the UK during his last presidency – congratulated the next president on his victory.

Kemi Badenoch, newly elected leader of the Conservative Party, called for Lammy to apologise for his previous comments on Trump during her first PMQs this morning.

Badenoch earlier gave her congratulations in a tweet addressing Donald Trump.

She said: “The world faces many serious challenges and I look forward to our two countries working together to confront them.”

There were also contradictory tweets from Welsh politicians.

Whilst first minister Eluned Morgan gave a Welsh congratulations to Trump, leader of Plaid Cymru Rhun ap Iorwerth said it was a step backwards for America.

Meanwhile, former prime ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss sang Trump’s praises. 

Boris said: “He’s done it because he’s shown in the past that he is capable of taking stong and decisive action.

“I have no doubt that is what he is now going to do home and abroad – whether in the Middle East or in Ukraine.”

Other party leaders were concerned about the results.

Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrat Party, said: “This is a dark, dark day for people around the globe. 

“The world’s largest economy and most powerful military will be led by a dangerous, destructive demagogue.”

Co-leader of the Green Party Adrian Ramsay said a price would be paid for electing Trump into power.

Former Labour leader and independent MP Jeremy Corbyn said: “The election of Donald Trump is a dark day for reproductive healthcare, the rights of refugees and the future of our planet.“

Other politicians that also took to X after the election result include former Conservative Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, Labour MP Diane Abbott and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Featured Image: Flickr by Number 10

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