Donald Trump hails Nigel Farage’s electoral success but remains silent on Keir Starmer

Donald Trump hailed Nigel Farage’s success in winning a Westminster seat but refused to say anything about Sir Keir Starmer, as world leaders reacted to Labour’s landslide victory.

The former president showed his support for the leader of the British Reform Party on Thursday night, shortly after Farage won Clacton, his eighth time running for a seat in the House of Commons and his first time winning.

“Congratulations to Nigel Farage on his great victory in Parliament in the UK reformist elections,” he posted on his platform, Truth Social. “Nigel is a man who truly loves his country.”

Trump has long supported Mr Farage, who has said he intends to campaign for the Republican candidate this autumn before announcing his intention to run in the UK.

David Lammy, Sir Keir’s foreign secretary, has tried to build ties with Trump’s campaign team in recent months, meeting Chris LaCivita, his senior adviser, in Washington in May and speaking on the phone to Trump allies in Congress.

Sir Keir has already hinted that he hopes Joe Biden wins the US presidential election in November.

Hillary Clinton said she hoped Sir Keir Starmer’s victory was an “omen” for America as world leaders reacted to Labour’s landslide victory.

The former Democratic presidential candidate saw the left’s victory in Britain as a sign of hope that Donald Trump could be defeated on the other side of the Pacific.

“Congratulations to the Labour Party on their landslide victory in yesterday’s election. Let’s hope it’s a good omen and let’s work to make it so,” she said.

Joe Biden has yet to publicly congratulate Sir Keir as he faces growing pressure to step down as the Democratic presidential candidate.

The New York Times declined to share Clinton’s enthusiasm, saying that “the 61-year-old former human rights lawyer lacks the notoriety of some of his predecessors,” but quoted one analyst as saying he had “a relatively prime ministerial air.”