More than third of UK voters want state visit for Donald Trump if he wins
There is strong support among voters who backed Reform UK in the election
Sir Keir Starmer should roll out the red carpet for Donald Trump if the controversial former president is re-elected in November, according to more than a third of British voters.
There is major support for the inviting Mr Trump for a state visit if he pulls off a history-making comeback.
Thirty-six per cent of British adults want the Prime Minister to issue the invitation, according to the polling by WeThink. Forty-five per cent do not want him extended this honour but 19 per cent are unsure.
Support was strongest among people who had planned to vote Reform UK in last week’s election (61 per cent) with nearly half of likely Conservative voters (47 per cent) also enthusiastic about an invitation.
A former Labour foreign minister stressed the importance of Sir Keir building a relationship with Trump, saying: “You’ve got to get on with the Americans, haven’t you? We haven’t got any choice.”
Don't miss...
Trump adviser hails Farage's election surge as 'resurrection of Brexit spirit' [LATEST]
Keir Starmer risks Donald Trump diplomatic crisis with David Lammy [LATEST]
Trump congratulates Farage after Reform UK leader wins seat in UK election [LATEST]
Joe Biden tells Democrat Governors he's setting an 8pm bedtime to get more sleep [LATEST]
Former PM Theresa May sparked controversy when she invited him to the UK. During the 2019 state visit, Mr Trump talked-up the potential for a “phenomenal” US-UK trade deal and dismissed protests against him as “very small”.
If Mr Trump does win re-election, he is expected to hike up pressure on European countries to foot a greater share of the bill for defending Europe. He shocked allies earlier this year when he said he would “encourage” Russia to do “whatever” it wants to Nato members that do not pay their full share.
Don't miss...
Charles and Camilla bid farewell to Japan Emperor on final day of state visit [LATEST]
Charles leaves guests in stitches as he delivers key speech at banquet [LATEST]
Charles considering 'state visit' to America to see Archie and Lilibet [LATEST]
The Royal Family is using its ‘soft power’ to boost the UK economy [LATEST]
The former foreign minister said: “If Trump wins he’s certainly going to put the arm on Europe to pay for its own defences. There’s no question about it, and that means enormous turmoil I would think.”
Sarah Elliott, director of the UK-US special relationship unit at the Legatum Institute, pushed Sir Keir to offer a state visit to the next president.
She said: “Our countries have more in common than differences, and we need to show a united front as soon as possible especially now with the rise of authoritarianism globally. We are each other’s best military and economic allies, and a state visit should then naturally be expected or extended.”