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US elections: Starmer leads British congratulations on Trump’s US election victory | Politics news

US elections: Starmer leads British congratulations on Trump’s US election victory | Politics news

Sir Keir Starmer congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the US election, saying the “special relationship will continue to flourish”.

Mr Trump declared victory at 2.20am local time in Florida (7.20am in the UK) on Wednesday after he won 266 electoral votes to Kamala Harris’ 219, declaring he would “heal the country”.

His victory was confirmed when he won 270 electoral college votes winning the state of Wisconsin and he remains on course to claim all seven swing states.

The prime minister congratulated Trump on his “historic election victory” and said he “looks forward to working with you in the years ahead.”

But Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said it was a “dark, dark day for people all over the world”, calling Trump a “dangerously destructive demagogue”.

Latest US elections: Trump declared victory

Sir Keir said: “As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defending our shared values ​​of freedom, democracy and enterprise.

“From growth and security to innovation and technology, I know the special UK-US relationship will continue to flourish on both sides of the Atlantic in the years to come.”

Relations between the two leaders were not always good. Trump campaign files legal challenge against Labor Party officials who traveled to embattled US states to volunteer in Harris’ camp.

The letter from the US Federal Election Commission said that volunteering constitutes “unlawful contributions from foreign nationals.”

However, Sir Keir insisted he has a “good relationship” with Trump and they dined together in New York last month to ensure they were on good terms.

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Trump declares victory

Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who has previously called Trump a “racist KKK and Nazi sympathizer,” congratulated the president-elect and said he looked forward to working with him and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance.

“The UK has no greater friend than the US and this special relationship has endured on both sides of the Atlantic for over 80 years,” he said.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch congratulated Mr Trump and said: “The world faces many serious challenges and I look forward to our two countries working together to confront them.”

Sir Ed Davey, Greens co-leader Carla Denyer and Labor Mayor of London Sadiq Khan made less conciliatory remarks.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed said: “This is a dark, dark day for people all over the world. The world’s largest economy and most powerful army will be led by dangerous, destructive demagogues.

“The next President of the United States is a man who actively undermines the rule of law, human rights, international trade, climate change and global security.

“Millions of Americans—especially women and minorities—will be incredibly scared about what comes next. We support them.”

He added that it was now “more urgent than before” to fix the UK’s “broken relationship” with the EU to “help protect itself from the damage Trump will cause”.

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Foreign Secretary David Lammy (left) and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken board a train in Poland en route to a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a visit to Kyiv in Ukraine. Date photographed: Wednesday, September 11, 2024. Photo PA. See the story of PA POLITICS Ukraine. Photo credit: Leon Neal/PA Wire
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David Lammy with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Poland. Photo: Pennsylvania

Mr Khan said he knew “many Londoners will be worried… and scared” about what it would mean for democracy and women’s rights or how it would affect the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine.

“The lesson today is that progress is not inevitable,” he said.

“But standing up for our progressive values ​​is more important than ever—renewing our commitment to building a world where racism and hate are rejected, the fundamental rights of women and girls are respected, and where we continue to decisively tackle the climate change crisis. “

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The Green Party’s Ms Denyer said it was a “rainy day” and called Mr Trump “a dangerous bigot, a bully and a liar… a convicted criminal and a fascist… a climate change denier, a proud racist and a misogynist as well as a human being”. who tried to disrupt the elections and provoke an uprising.”

Reformist UK leader Nigel Farage called Trump’s victory “the most incredible political comeback of our lifetime.”

Former Prime Minister Liz Truss said his victory was “great news for the US and the West” and added: “Let the fight back begin!”

Former Conservative home secretary Suella Braverman said Trump “can now lead the fight for democracy, prosperity and world peace” and added that the UK will “continue to stand with you”.