Labour divided on Donald Trump’s return as Sadiq Khan refuses to congratulate president-elect

The Labour Social gathering is split in its response to Donald Trump’s imminent return to the White Home, with London mayor Sadiq Khan refusing to congratulate the Republican on his election win.

Whereas Sir Keir Starmer complimented Trump on his “historic election victory”, Mr Khan issued a extra disparaging assertion, saying the outcome reveals “progress shouldn’t be inevitable”.

Trump claimed victory at a rally in Florida after sweeping three of the important thing battleground states hours after the polls closed.

In a press release, the prime minister stated: “Because the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise.

“From development and safety to innovation and tech, I do know that the UK-US particular relationship will proceed to prosper on either side of the Atlantic for years to return”, he added.

However Mr Khan – who had a long-running row with Trump throughout his first time period within the White Home – stated Londoners can be “anxious concerning the end result”.

He stated: “Many can be fearful about what it’s going to imply for democracy and for ladies’s rights, or how the outcome impacts the scenario within the Center East or the destiny of Ukraine”.

“The lesson of at present is that progress shouldn’t be inevitable. However asserting our progressive values is extra necessary than ever – re-committing to constructing a world the place racism and hatred is rejected, the basic rights of girls and ladies are upheld, and the place we proceed to deal with the disaster of local weather change head on”, the mayor added.

The row between the 2 politicians started after the mayor criticised Trump’s pledge to ban Muslims from the US, with Mr Khan describing the coverage as “ignorant”.

In the meantime, former Labour frontbencher Emily Thornberry, declined to row again on her earlier description of Trump as a “racist, sexist predator”.

Requested concerning the remarks, she instructed the BBC’s Radio 4 At this time programme: “Effectively he’s, however he’s additionally president of the US”.

Downing Avenue has spent months getting ready for a doable Trump victory, understanding that the stark ideological variations between the 2 administrations might pose a problem for the prime minister.

Sir Keir can be eager to construct bridges with Trump after the Republican politician’s marketing campaign filed a authorized grievance about Labour activists supporting Kamala Harris’ marketing campaign within the US.

In the meantime, his international secretary David Lammy has beforehand described Trump as a “Neo-Nazi sociopath”.

However forward of the election, a Downing Avenue spokesperson stated the prime minister would “work carefully with whoever wins”.

Mr Lammy additionally supplied his congratulations to Trump, saying the UK “has no larger good friend than the US, with the particular relationship being cherished on either side of the Atlantic for greater than 80 years.”

“We look ahead to working with you and J D Vance within the years forward”, he posted to X.

In 2017, Mr Lammy stated he would protest if “racist and KKK/neo-Nazi sympathiser Trump” visited London.

Ed Davey, chief of the Liberal Democrats, hit out on the Trump victory, saying it’s a “darkish, darkish day for folks across the globe” and describing the politician as a “harmful, damaging demagogue”

He added: “The following president of the US is a person who actively undermines the rule of legislation, human rights, worldwide commerce, local weather motion and world safety.

“Thousands and thousands of People – particularly girls and minorities – can be extremely fearful about what comes subsequent. We stand with them.

“Households throughout the UK may also be worrying concerning the harm Trump will do to our economic system and our nationwide safety, given his file of beginning commerce wars, undermining Nato and emboldening tyrants like Putin.”

He stated Trump’s victory implies that “fixing the UK’s damaged relationship with the EU is much more pressing than earlier than”, calling for the federal government to “strengthen commerce and defence cooperation throughout Europe to assist shield ourselves from the harm Trump will do.”

Inexperienced Social gathering co-leader Carla Denyer dubbed Trump a “harmful bigot, bully, and liar” within the wake of his election victory, including: “On this darkish day, we stand in solidarity with all U.S. residents who worry a convicted legal and a fascist within the White Home.

“And we stand with all these all over the world who dreaded this second and should now dwell with its penalties, together with these in Gaza and Ukraine.”

However Reform UK chief Nigel Farage, a detailed ally of Trump and the one UK politician at his Palm Seaside house on election night time, stated the Republican goes to be a “real radical”.

He instructed BBC Radio 4’s At this time programme: “What you’re going to see from this Trump administration, and I’m guessing that Elon Musk would be the man that’s tasked to do it – is there can be an enormous fightback in opposition to the executive bureaucratic state which is way too huge, far too highly effective and truly very undemocratic.”

He added: “What could be very attention-grabbing concerning the Trump motion is that it’s critics name all of it kinds of nasty names, the reality is in some ways it’s bringing People collectively.”