MPs and councillors have shared their fears for "national security" after Donald Trump won the US election.
Trump has been elected the 47th president of the United States. The victory marks an extraordinary comeback for a former president who refused to accept defeat four years ago, sparked a violent insurrection at the US Capitol, was convicted of felony charges and survived two assassination attempts.
With a win in Wisconsin, Mr Trump cleared the 270 electoral votes needed to clinch the presidency.
Speaking to his supporters on Wednesday morning, Mr Trump claimed he had won “an unprecedented and powerful mandate”.
Sir Keir Starmer congratulated the Republican politician on a “historic election victory”.
The Prime Minister said: “Congratulations president-elect Trump on your historic election victory. I look forward to working with you in the years ahead.
“As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise.
“From growth and security to innovation and tech, I know that the UK-US special relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic for years to come.”
Though the Prime Minister’s response was warm and congratulatory, this was not the case for some politicians in Sussex.
LibDem MP for Lewes, James MacCleary, made his feelings known on the matter, stating on a post on X: “The government's cautious 'reset' with the EU has been overtaken by events in the US.
“Trump's agenda threatens our national security and will cause massive economic disruption.
“Now is the time to strengthen co-operation with our European allies to stand together in uncertain times.”
LibDem John Milne MP for Horsham and Jess Brown-Fuller MP for Chichester did not respond with statements of their own, but shared their leader Ed Davey’s scathing official statement.
In it Mr. Davey calls Trump a "dangerous, destructive demagogue" and that he is a man who "actively undermines the rule of law, human rights, international trade, climate action and global security."
This is a dark, dark day for people around the globe. The world’s largest economy and most powerful military will be led by a dangerous, destructive demagogue.
— Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) November 6, 2024
Conservative Councillor Ivan Lyons for Westdene and Hove Park Ward on Brighton and Hove City Council, shared a different outlook on the elections results.
He said: "From a Conservative point of view is it more comforting that Donald Trump won the election, or, more so, a rump of Labour Party members backing the wrong horse and campaigning for Kamala Harris?
"As for David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary - has he apologised for calling Trump in a magazine article in 2018, a ‘woman-hating, neo Nazi, sympathising sociopath’.
"Unfortunately I suspect not.
"Those comments alone could damage British businesses, with the threat of import taxes on British businesses and affecting our economy and jobs."
Labour Cllr Leslie Pumm for Westbourne and Poets' Corner in Hove also said in a post on X (Formerly Twitter): “Not much good news this morning, but it will be his last term in office.
“The country will move on in 2028.”
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