Six years in the past, David Lammy known as Donald Trump a “woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath” and a “profound risk to the worldwide order”.
On Wednesday, Lammy, now UK overseas secretary, provided Trump “congratulations” and mentioned the British authorities “look ahead to working with you”.
It marked the newest step in a fervent mission to restore relations with Trump and his Maga outriders that has seen Lammy go to the US seven instances as shadow overseas secretary and twice for the reason that UK election in July.
Lammy’s attraction offensive included conferences with vice-president-elect JD Vance, South Carolina senator and Trump ally Lindsey Graham and former nationwide safety adviser Robert O’Brien, together with different key Republicans.
Describing himself as a “small c conservative” and a “good Christian boy” who’s dedicated to household values, Lammy has sought to focus on the “widespread trigger” between himself and Trump.
Crucial leap ahead in his plan to restore relations occurred in September, nonetheless, when he joined UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for an intimate and prolonged dinner with the then-Republican candidate in Trump Tower.
Over two and a half hours the trio chatted about Trump’s ardour for Scotland — the place his mom was born and the place he has a golf resort — and his curiosity in Britain’s royal household, in line with individuals aware of the dialog.
Whether or not the overtures shall be sufficient to banish the reminiscences of his invectives stays unclear.
Hours after Lammy’s congratulation message, new Conservative chief Kemi Badenoch used her debut showdown in opposition to Starmer at prime minister’s questions within the Home of Commons to ask whether or not Lammy had apologised to Trump in particular person for his “derogatory and scatological” remarks concerning the president-elect.
She additionally highlighted that many Labour cupboard ministers signed a movement calling on Trump to be banned from addressing the UK’s parliament, and urged Starmer to override these sentiments by inviting Trump to talk to British parliamentarians.
Starmer — who had informed his senior crew to “tweet responsibly” on the eve of the election outcome — replied the dinner with Trump had been “very constructive”.
Requested on Wednesday whether or not Lammy would stay overseas secretary throughout this parliament, Starmer’s spokeswoman mentioned: “Sure, he’s the overseas secretary.”
Starmer subsequently spoke with Trump to congratulate him on his election victory.
The pair mentioned the energy of the UK-US relationship, spanning defence, safety, development and prosperity, in line with a Downing Road spokesperson.
Starmer additionally “mirrored on the state of affairs within the Center East and underscored the significance of regional stability”. Recalling their September assembly, they talked about Trump’s “shut connections and affinity” to the UK and mentioned they seemed ahead to working collectively, Quantity 10 added.
A probably extra vital barrier to the flowering of the UK’s “particular relationship” with the US is Trump’s newfound closeness to Elon Musk.
The Tesla boss and X proprietor has taunted Starmer on the social media web site and claimed after the summer season riots that the UK was headed in direction of “civil battle”.
Musk, who is aware of the UK effectively and has twice been married to a British lady, lashed out at Britain, saying nobody ought to go to the nation after not being invited to Starmer’s worldwide funding summit final month.
Now a staunch Trump supporter, who dedicated greater than $100mn to the pro-Republican America Pac, Musk has been tipped to steer a brand new US division tasked with making deep cuts to the bureaucratic state.
His involvement within the new administration, which has not been confirmed, may even see him capable of affect Trump’s views on points and allies.
Trump’s victory additionally has a bearing on Starmer’s alternative of UK ambassador to the US — bolstering the chance that the incumbent Dame Karen Pierce is requested to remain on.
Nicknamed the “Trump whisperer” in diplomatic circles, she has been praised for constructing sturdy hyperlinks with Republicans and was credited with serving to to arrange a tête-à-tête at Florida’s Mar-a-Lago in April between Trump and Lord David Cameron, then UK overseas secretary, to debate Ukraine.
Beneath her auspices, the UK embassy in Washington has additionally constructed hyperlinks with the president-elect’s son Donald Trump Jr and a spread of different Trump allies, in line with UK authorities insiders.
Starmer delayed beginning a recruitment course of for a brand new ambassador till the results of the US election was identified so as to preserve open the choice of extending Pierce’s time period.
But not all high-profile Labour politicians have rushed to welcome Trump’s victory. Sadiq Khan, the Labour mayor of London, recommended the US election outcome had triggered nervousness and worry within the UK capital.
London has a long-standing rivalry with New York within the area of economic companies however is now establishing itself as a European centre for synthetic intelligence, know-how and inexperienced finance.
Khan sought to capitalise on the US election outcome by portraying the British capital as a spot that’s “pleased with our variety” and dedicated to progressive values.
Khan believes the outcome may sharpen cultural variations between London and the US and make the UK capital extra enticing to traders.
Khan’s allies confirmed that the mayor believed the capital’s “high quality of life and stability of management” would change into more and more enticing to worldwide traders.
The London mayor, who has clashed with Trump previously, mentioned on Wednesday he knew that “many Londoners shall be anxious concerning the final result of the US presidential election”.
However he added: “London is — and can at all times be — for everybody. We are going to at all times be pro-women, pro-diversity, pro-climate and pro-human rights.
“London is a spot the place we’re pleased with our variety, pleased with the contribution of all our communities and pleased with our spirit of unity. These are among the values that can proceed to bind us collectively as Londoners.”
