What's happened
David Lammy, Labour's shadow foreign secretary, has shifted his stance on former US President Donald Trump, emphasizing the need for cooperation regardless of who occupies the White House. During a recent goodwill mission to the US, Lammy defended Trump's NATO comments and met with Trump's campaign manager, Chris LaCivita. This marks a significant change from Lammy's previous criticisms of Trump. Lammy's efforts aim to strengthen ties with both major US parties as Labour prepares for a potential victory in the upcoming UK general election.
What's behind the headline?
What the papers say
According to BBC News, Lammy has shifted his tone on Trump, emphasizing the need for cooperation. The Guardian highlights Lammy's efforts to reassure Republicans of his Atlantacist credentials. The Independent notes that the Legatum Institute praised Lammy's US diplomacy, while The Telegraph reports on Lammy's meeting with Trump's campaign manager. The New Statesman provides context on Labour's connections in Washington DC and Lammy's efforts to build ties with both US parties.
How we got here
David Lammy has a history of criticizing Donald Trump, previously calling him a 'neo-Nazi sympathising sociopath.' However, with Labour leading in the opinion polls ahead of the UK general election, Lammy has shifted his approach to emphasize cooperation with whoever occupies the White House. This change in tone comes as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the UK's 'special relationship' with the US and ensure continued international cooperation on key issues such as NATO funding and global security. Lammy's recent goodwill mission to the US included meetings with senior Democrats and Trump allies, marking the first official contact between Labour and the former president's team.
Go deeper
- Why did David Lammy change his stance on Donald Trump?
- How might this diplomatic shift impact UK-US relations?
- What are the potential implications for global security?
Common question
More on these topics