Despite past criticisms of Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that David Lammy will remain in his post as Foreign Secretary, even as Trump returns to the White House. Lammy, known for his outspoken remarks on Trump, previously referred to the former president as a “woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath” during his tenure as a backbencher in 2018. He also labeled Trump a “profound threat to the international order,” a statement that has since drawn scrutiny as Lammy prepares to lead UK foreign relations under a Trump presidency.
There had been speculation that Lammy, a frequent Trump critic, might be reshuffled following Trump’s win. But in a clear show of support, the Prime Minister’s press secretary announced Wednesday that Lammy would continue as Foreign Secretary through the next general election, expected in 2029.
If Starmer maintains his stance, Lammy would oversee UK foreign policy for the entirety of Trump’s second term. In a strategic move to reinforce diplomatic ties with the incoming U.S. administration, Starmer publicly congratulated Trump on his victory, praising the “historic election” and expressing a desire to work closely with the new administration.
Lammy’s past criticisms of Trump have covered multiple areas:
- Division and Racial Tensions
Lammy has criticized Trump’s rhetoric for inciting racial tensions, particularly after events like the Charlottesville incident, which he argues empowered extremist groups and influenced right-wing movements globally. - Immigration Policies
Lammy condemned Trump’s immigration policies, including the family separation policy at the U.S.-Mexico border and the travel ban on predominantly Muslim countries, which he called discriminatory. - Environmental Policies and Climate Change
Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and environmental deregulations drew Lammy’s ire, as he viewed these as setbacks to global climate action and threats to progress. - Democratic Norms
Lammy was critical of Trump’s claims of election fraud in 2020, warning that undermining election integrity could harm public trust in democratic institutions worldwide. - Global Populism and Right-Wing Influence
Lammy has argued that Trump’s nationalism and isolationism fueled similar movements abroad, impacting Brexit sentiments and right-wing group dynamics across Europe. - COVID-19 Pandemic Response
Lammy took issue with Trump’s response to COVID-19, calling it poorly managed and suggesting that it contributed to preventable loss of life.
As Starmer moves to build a constructive relationship with the incoming Trump administration, he faces the challenge of reconciling Lammy’s history of criticisms with the necessity of cooperation. To ease tensions, Starmer met with Trump in September, an effort to build rapport as his government prepared for Trump’s potential return to power. However, those efforts were complicated by reports of a former senior Labour aide organizing 100 activists to support Trump’s opponent, Kamala Harris.
With Lammy now at the helm of UK foreign policy, public anticipation grows over how he will navigate his relationship with Trump’s administration.
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