The Labour party is divided over whether Lord Peter Mandelson, the incoming UK ambassador to the US, should leverage Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s connections with Donald Trump. Mandelson has hinted that Farage, a friend of Trump, could facilitate communication between the UK and the incoming Republican president. However, Downing Street remained noncommittal when asked if Keir Starmer approved of such a collaboration, stating only that the Prime Minister was already building a relationship with Trump.
Farage himself has offered his services as a bridge between the UK government and the Trump administration, expressing willingness to work with Labour if it served the national interest. He told the Telegraph he could be a valuable asset in negotiations on trade, tariffs, intelligence sharing, and counter-terrorism, emphasizing the crucial importance of the US-UK relationship. He anticipates sector-by-sector negotiations for a free trade deal and believes his offer could be beneficial, despite acknowledging Labour’s internal divisions on the matter.
Mandelson’s extensive experience as an EU trade commissioner and UK secretary of state for trade is seen as an asset, particularly given Trump’s previously stated intention to impose widespread tariffs. However, Mandelson’s past criticism of Trump – he once labelled him “little short of a white nationalist and racist” – could hinder efforts to cultivate strong US-UK relations. This concern was further highlighted when a Trump campaign advisor called Mandelson “an absolute moron,” prompting a defence of Mandelson from Foreign Office sources. Mandelson is due to assume his role in early 2025.