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.”
Congratulations President-elect @realDonaldTrump on your historic election victory.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) November 6, 2024
I look forward to working with you in the years ahead. pic.twitter.com/QYHLd4k4EG
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.”
He’s done it again. The most incredible political comeback of our lifetime. pic.twitter.com/xJEpcSqdvI
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) November 6, 2024
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.
Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump on your victory.
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) November 6, 2024
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 @JDVance in the years ahead.
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.
Re: Daily Mail story today. Yes, if Trump comes to the UK I will be out protesting on the streets. He is a racist KKK and Nazi sympathiser.
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) September 26, 2017
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.”
Congratulations President-elect @realDonaldTrump on your historic election victory.
— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) November 6, 2024
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.
Events in the USA represent a backward step for women’s rights, global stability and the struggle against increasingly regressive forces in our politics.
— Rhun ap Iorwerth (@RhunapIorwerth) November 6, 2024
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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.”
Huge congratulations to Donald Trump on his amazing victory. I have no doubt he will now set about making America strong at home and abroad pic.twitter.com/7UV5lxBZ0F
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) November 6, 2024
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.”
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.
— Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) November 6, 2024
Co-leader of the Green Party Adrian Ramsay said a price would be paid for electing Trump into power.
Trump wins and this is the price that will be paid
— Adrian Ramsay (@AdrianRamsay) November 6, 2024
– Action on climate
– Decency in public life
– The rule of law
– Women’s right to choose
A dark day for democratic values & the environment #USelection
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.“
The election of Donald Trump is a dark day for reproductive healthcare, the rights of refugees and the future of our planet.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) November 6, 2024
As we speak, people are being slaughtered in Gaza and Lebanon. Our demands on our governments have not changed: stop enabling genocide and end all arms…
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.
Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump on your election victory.
— James Cleverly🇬🇧 (@JamesCleverly) November 6, 2024
The USA is a key friend, ally, and partner. In turbulent times the bond between our two countries is more important than ever.
This is a good result for hard-right politicians in the US and beyond.
— Diane Abbott (@HackneyAbbott) November 6, 2024
But for the rest of the world this is a terrible result. pic.twitter.com/XJA1pVPasH
An important reminder today for Londoners: our city is – and will always be – for everyone.
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) November 6, 2024
We will always be pro-women, pro-diversity, pro-climate and pro-human rights.
These are some of the values that will continue to bind us together as Londoners.
Featured Image: Flickr by Number 10
