20 September 2023 , 15:00
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The “special relationship” between Britain and America can withstand Donald Trump returning to the White House, the Shadow Defence Secretary believes.
The US presidential race is hotting up ahead of next November’s vote, and with the UK general election widely expected for next autumn, some analysts fear the Republican seizing back control of America as Labour returns to office for the first time since 2010.
Experts wonder how Keir Starmer and Mr Trump could forge a personal relationship. But Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey insisted the deep ties between the UK and US were stronger than any personality. “What’s more important than any Prime Minister or any President at any one time is the strength and depth of that relationship,” Mr Healey told the Mirror.
Mr Healey spoke exclusively to the Mirror's Deputy Political Editor Ben Glaze at the American Enterprise Institute“It goes back more than six decades on nuclear sharing, it’s hardwired into our intelligence services, the sharing of military technology - not just joint exercising but doctrines as well. It’s got a long-term resilience that has always allowed that UK-US essential cooperation … to ride through the ups and downs of political cycles, either on the US side or the UK side.”
Speaking at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington DC, Mr Healey said the UK should be prepared to “work through” the “challenges” a second Trump presidency could pose for war-ravaged Ukraine. The Labour frontbencher was asked whether “the UK and Europe can support Ukraine without the US”, amid mounting fears Washington could water down its military commitments, including to Ukraine, if Mr Trump returns to the White House.
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Mr Healey said: “One of the special strengths of the way the UK and US have regarded each other and worked together - particularly on defence and security in our militaries - has been that commitment has withstood the political cycles and changes in political leadership. I don’t underestimate the challenges that might lie in the sort of scenario you talked about, but we have to be willing and ready to work through that.”
Mr Trump has triggered fears he could slash help for the regime if he wins next year’s presidential race. He has claimed he could end the war in 24 hours - without saying how - and refused to say whether he wanted Ukraine to prevail.
He also moaned about the cost of vital gear sent to Ukraine. "We don't have ammunition for ourselves, we're giving away so much," complained Mr Trump.
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