While an MP in opposition, Lammy had branded the Republican a “tyrant in a toupee,” a “serial liar and a cheat,” “deluded, dishonest, xenophobic, narcissistic” — and “no friend of Britain.”
Lammy has since distanced himself from those comments and talked up a friendship with incoming Vice President JD Vance, as well as a host of areas on which the U.K. and U.S. have been historic partners.
Lammy said after Labour’s July election victory in the U.K.: “You are going to struggle to find any politician who didn’t have things to say about Donald Trump back in the day.”
Lammy’s center-left boss, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, also laid it on thick Monday morning, sending his “warmest congratulations” to Trump and talking up the next U.S. commander-in-chief’s “long-standing affection and historical ties to the United Kingdom.”
“We will continue to build upon the unshakeable foundations of our historic alliance as we tackle together the global challenges we face and take our partnership to the next level focused on shared opportunities ahead for growth,” said Starmer — who has publicly feuded with Trump donor and government efficiency pick Elon Musk — in an overnight statement.
As is custom, Britain’s outgoing Ambassador to Washington Karen Pierce is the U.K. government’s sole representative at Trump’s inauguration Monday.
But a host of Brits from the right of politics are in town to watch the action unfold. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, Conservative Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel, former Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, and Conservative MP Suella Braverman will all be in Washington for the inauguration.
