Analysis UK leaders pick words carefully

Many UK politicians have strong views on Donald Trump, but have often tempered them in public, conscious of the fact he could become president again. Here is what some have said about him.

- Peter Walker

Keir Starmer

Even as opposition leader, he rarely criticised Trump directly, and his most recent mention of him in the Commons was to wish him a quick recovery after the assassination attempt in July.

When pro-Trump protesters attacked the US Capitol in January 2021, Starmer tweeted: "These are not 'protesters' - this a direct attack on democracy and legislators carrying out the will of the American people."

Last month, when Trump's team complained about Labour volunteers campaigning for the Democrats, Starmer told reporters that having met Trump in New York in September, the pair "established a good relationship".

David Lammy

In 2018, the then-backbench Labour MP wrote: "Trump is not only a woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath. He is also a profound threat to the international order that has been the foundation of western progress for so long."

As foreign secretary, Lammy has sought to build bridges, and joined Starmer at the dinner with Trump in New York. He yesterday tweeted congratulations to Trump, saying: "The UK has no greater friend than the US, with the special relationship being cherished on both sides of the Atlantic for more than 80 years. We look forward to working with you and JD Vance in the years ahead."

Kemi Badenoch