Prime Minister Keir Starmer is poised to roll out the red carpet for a potentially explosive state visit by former US President Donald Trump, should he win November's election, The Guardian can reveal. The move signals a dramatic shift in UK foreign policy and is already causing significant consternation within the Labour Party.
The invitation, a holdover from the previous Conservative government, is now Sir Keir's to manage. His approach is being closely watched as a critical test of his pragmatic leadership on the world stage.
Mandelson's Grave Warning
Adding fuel to the political fire, Labour heavyweight and architect of the New Labour era, Lord Peter Mandelson, has issued a stark and public caution. He has urged the Prime Minister to resist the temptation to form a close alliance with Trump, labelling the former President a profound threat to Western stability.
Mandelson's intervention is not merely philosophical; it carries significant political weight. He argues that while diplomatic engagement is necessary, the UK must not become a "cheerleader" for an administration whose values may starkly oppose those traditionally held by the Labour party and its supporters.
The Tightrope of Diplomacy
Downing Street's response has been a masterclass in cautious diplomacy. Officials have confirmed that a Trump victory would be met with a working assumption that the invitation for a full state visit—complete with the royal pomp of a Buckingham Palace banquet—remains active.
However, Starmer's team is walking a tightrope. They are keenly aware of the need to protect the sacred, long-term US-UK relationship while simultaneously navigating the immense domestic pressure to avoid legitimising Trump's more divisive policies and rhetoric.
This balancing act was evident in the Prime Minister's recent comments, where he emphasised dealing with "the world as it is, not as we would like it to be."
A Party Divided
The prospect of a Trump visit has exposed clear fissures within the Labour movement. While the leadership preaches pragmatic realpolitik, many backbenchers and party members view the idea with outright horror, fearing it would be a betrayal of the party's core internationalist and progressive principles.
Mandelson's very public warning amplifies this internal conflict, providing a rallying point for those opposed to the visit and placing Starmer in a increasingly difficult position. The government must now decide whether the strategic value of strong transatlantic ties outweighs the severe risk of profound domestic political backlash.
