Why did Donald Trump accuse the UK Labor Party of “foreign interference” in the US election? – First post

Donald Trump is once again screaming election interference.

The former US president, himself criminally accused of trying to interfere in the outcome of the 2020 elections, has long made this phrase a rallying cry for his base.

Trump has accused judges, social media companies, Democratic politicians and prosecutors of election interference.

Now, Trump has pointed the finger at the UK Labor Party.

But why does the former president criticize the party that currently governs, the US’s closest ally? And how did the UK respond?

Let’s take a closer look:

What is Team Trump saying?

According to CNBC, Trump accused the Labor Party of “foreign interference.”

The allegation comes after Labor Party volunteers traveled to the United States to campaign for rival Kamala Harris.

The campaign filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission in Washington demanding an inquiry into “apparently illegal contributions from foreign nationals made by the UK Labor Party and accepted by Harris for President.”

The media outlet said the complaint cited media reports as well as a since-deleted post on LinkedIn.

Keep up with all the latest developments in the US presidential election here.

The article, published by Sofia Patel, who runs operations for the British Labor Party, claimed that “almost 100” current and former Labor Party staff would come to the UK to campaign for Harris.

“Those seeking foreign interference in our elections need look no further than the LinkedIn post,” the letter of complaint said. “The interference is taking place in plain sight.”

“When representatives of the British government previously attempted to go door-to-door in America, this did not end well for them,” the letter stated.

“Last week marked the 243rd anniversary of the surrender of British forces at the Battle of Yorktown, a military victory that ensured that the United States would be politically independent from Great Britain.”

The letter misspelled the name of the country.

It also references a
Washington Post report that claims the Labor Party offered advice to the Harris campaign on how to defeat Trump.

Senior members of the Labor Party also met with senior staff at Harris’ campaign.

The letter highlights Matthew Doyle, Downing Street’s director of communications, and Morgan McSweeney, the prime minister’s chief of staff.

According to BBCDeborah Mattinson, former strategy director at Starmer, was also on the list of names.

Mattinson is no longer employed by the Labor Party.

The Labor Party in the United Kingdom sees the Democratic Party in America as its brother, while the Conservatives in the United Kingdom feel the same way about the Republican Party.

However, the two countries have a “special relationship”, regardless of who is in charge.

The LinkedIn post was heavily criticized by Republicans and their allies.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, the far-right lawmaker, wrote on social media that “foreigners are not allowed to be involved in US elections in any way.”

Elon Musk, who declared himself a Trump supporter, wrote on his X platform: “This is illegal.”

The billionaire of South African origin later deleted his post after a community note correcting his statement indicated that foreigners are allowed to knock on doors unpaid.

How did the UK government respond?

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer dismissed the controversy.

“The Labor Party…volunteers reviewed virtually every election. They’re doing it in their spare time, they’re doing it as volunteers, they’re staying, I guess, with other volunteers there,” he was quoted as saying by
The Guardian.

“That’s what they did in the previous election, that’s what they’re doing in this election and that’s very simple.”

The BBC quoted Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner as saying that “people in their own time often campaign”.

“This happens in all political parties.” The labor activists at the center of this dispute joined Harris’ campaign “on their own time and with their own money,” Rayner added.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed told the outlet that the trips were not funded or organized by the Labor Party.

“These are individuals and they are there. . . at his own expense,” John Healey, Britain’s defense secretary, was quoted as saying by Financial Times. “It’s very different from the Labor government’s determination to work with whoever the American people elect next month as their president.”

But others differed.

Emily Thornberry, Labor chair of the House of Commons foreign affairs committee, questioned the efforts of Labor activists, said BBC: “Actually, I don’t think British politicians going to America and telling Americans how to vote really helps.”

Far-right UK lawmaker Nigel Farage wrote on X: ““This is direct Labor Party election interference in government, and particularly stupid if Trump wins. Who is paying for all this?”

Starmer met Trump last month during his visit to New York City.

I’m a big believer in personal relationships on the world stage,” Starmer told the newspaper.

“We had a good, constructive discussion and, of course, as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, I will work with whoever wants the American people to return as their president in the elections, which are very close now,” Starmer was quoted as saying. Financial Times.

With contributions from agencies

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