MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

PM May congratulates Trump and looks forward to working with him

“Britain and the United States have an enduring and special relationship based on the values of freedom, democracy and enterprise” said PM May

Prime Minister Theresa May has led UK political congratulations for Donald Trump after his US election victory. The PM said Britain and the US had an “enduring and special relationship” and would remain close partners on trade, security and defense.

 Labour's Jeremy Corbyn said an economic system that “isn't working for most people” had been rejected. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urged Mr. Trump to “reach out” to those feeling “marginalized” by his campaign.

UKIP's Nigel Farage drew parallels with the Brexit campaign and said he would “hand over the mantle” to the Republican.

In a statement issued by Downing Street, Mrs May - who had previously criticized some of Mr. Trump's remarks - said: “I would like to congratulate Donald Trump on being elected the next president of the United States, following a hard-fought campaign.

”Britain and the United States have an enduring and special relationship based on the values of freedom, democracy and enterprise.

“We are, and will remain, strong and close partners on trade, security and defense.

”I look forward to working with President-elect Donald Trump, building on these ties to ensure the security and prosperity of our nations in the years ahead.

December 2015 she criticized the Republican's call for a ban on Muslims entering the United States, saying it was “divisive, unhelpful and wrong”. At the time Mrs. May, who was then home secretary, also said Mr Trump's remark that police were afraid to enter some parts of London because of radicalization was “nonsense”, saying: “I just think it shows he does not understand the UK and what happens in the UK.”

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson tweeted his congratulations to Mr. Trump and said he was “much looking forward to working with his administration on global stability and prosperity”.

Like Mrs May, he has previously attacked Mr Trump's comments about London, saying that “the only reason I wouldn't go to some parts of New York is the real risk of meeting Donald Trump”.

Corbyn said Mr. Trump's victory was “a rejection of a failed economic consensus and a governing elite that has been seen not to have listened”.

He added: “And the public anger that has propelled Donald Trump to office has been reflected in political upheavals across the world.”

Ms Sturgeon congratulated Mr Trump but said his victory was not the outcome she had hoped for, adding: “I hope the president-elect will take the opportunity to reach out to those who felt marginalized by his campaign and make clear - in deeds as well as words - that he will be a president for everyone in modern, multicultural America.”

Steve Hilton, a former adviser to David Cameron in Downing Street, said the Republican tycoon won because Americans could see in him “someone who might make a difference to their lives”.

Sir Peter Westmacott, who was UK Ambassador to the US until earlier this year, said Mr. Trump had been a “law until himself” during the campaign and it was not clear who would form his foreign policy team.
While there were significant policy differences that would need to be “ironed out”, he told BBC Radio 4's World at One that the UK's relationship with the US was strong and it was natural for Mrs. May to want a “fresh start” following Trump's election.