Starmer 'fondly recalls' meeting Trump as PM makes 'congratulatory' phone call after 'historic victory'

Following Trump's victory this morning, the Prime Minister congratulated the 78-year-old on his victory on social media and in the House of Commons before making a phone call this evening.

Starmer released a photo showing him grinning on the phone while speaking to Trump shortly after the ex-President belatedly received a concession call from Harris.

In a social media update, the Prime Minister said: "Good to speak with President-elect Donald Trump to congratulate him on his historic victory."

A Downing Street spokesperson added: "The Prime Minister offered his hearty congratulations and said he looked forward to working closely with president-elect Trump across all areas of the special relationship.

"From defence and security to growth and prosperity, the relationship between the UK and US was incredibly strong and would continue to thrive for many years to come, the leaders agreed.

"The Prime Minister also reflected on the situation in the Middle East and underscored the importance of regional stability.

"The leaders fondly recalled their meeting in September, and President-elect Trump’s close connections and affinity to the United Kingdom and looked forward to working with one another."

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Starmer's phone call came shortly after the Prime Minister faced down criticism from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch over Lammy's previous comments about the 45th President.

Badenoch said: "The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary met him [Trump] in September. Did the Foreign Secretary take that opportunity to apologise for making derogatory and scatological references, including, and I quote, 'Trump is not only a woman-hating Neo-Nazi sympathising sociopath, he is also a profound threat to the international order', and if he did not apologise, will the Prime Minister do so now on his behalf?"

Starmer replied: "The Foreign Secretary and I did meet President-elect Trump, just a few weeks ago, for dinner, for about a couple of hours. We discussed a number of issues of global significance. It was a very constructive exercise."

No10 later opened the door to Trump visiting the Houses of Parliament, with GB News exclusively revealing that Speaker Lindsay Hoyle would not block the President-elect's visit.

However, Starmer's phone call did not appear to touch on Trump filing a complaint against Labour after a senior figure sent out a rallying cry for staffers to campaign for Harris in key swing states.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who was in Florida to celebrate Trump's victory, urged Starmer to "roll out the red carpet" for the soon-to-be 47th President in a bid to bolster the special relationship.

He told GB News: "We have the prospect of a Trump Government bringing in quite big tariffs for all foreign imports, something that we need to deal with by getting involved in negotiations as quickly as we reasonably can - and that means rolling out the red carpet.

When pressed on whether he could play a key role to play in bridging the gap between Trump and Starmer, the Clacton MP added: "When he [Trump] appoints his Cabinet, I'm probably going to know quite a few of them personally quite well, so I do think that I might have a role to play in helping to break down those barriers.

"I'm pleased to see that Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has said he looks forward to the American President addressing both Houses of Parliament next year when he comes on a visit, so that's at least a start. But we do need to get talking to the Trump transition team as soon as those big positions, such as trade, are appointed."

The Prime Minister also faced pressure from Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey over his friendly comments about Trump earlier today.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Davey urged Starmer to turn to Europe after Trump called Vladimir Putin a "genius" and threatened to impose tariffs on goods entering the US.

Trump sealed his return to the White House just hours earlier after winning a number of swing states lost to Joe Biden in 2020.

Early results indicated the Republican nominee was in for a good night, with county after county showing Trump making inroads with key voting groups.

However, the tide truly turned when Trump secured Pennsylvania's 19 electoral college votes.

Declaring victory ahead of the official announcement, the 78-year-old said: “I’ll be fighting for you, and with every breath in my body.

“I will not rest until we deliver the strong, safe and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve.”

The President-elect added: “I will not let you down. America’s future will be bigger, better, bolder, richer, safer, and stronger than it has ever been before.”

During his first showdown with Badenoch at Prime Minister's Questions, Starmer made it clear that it is important to maintain close Anglo-American ties after Trump's triumph.

Responding to whether Labour would consider strengthening trade links with the UK's single biggest trade partner, Starmer said: "Of course we will discuss issues of our economy with the President-elect, as we already have done.

"Economy, security and global conflict are issues of real significance that ought to unite this House."

During his first term in the Oval Office, Trump appeared inclined to sign up to a trade deal with the UK after championing Britain's decision to leave the EU.

However, a number of issues arose before Joe Biden ultimately adopted a far less pro-UK trade policy.

The UK instead opted to sign trade accords with individual states, including Indiana and North Carolina.