Donald Trump congratulates Nigel Farage on his election as an MP without mentioning Sir Keir Starmer | Political News
Donald Trump has congratulated Nigel Farage on his “big WIN” after the Reform UK leader was elected as an MP for the first time.
Mr Farage, who failed in his seven previous attempts to enter parliament, will represent the Essex seat of Clacton after winning a majority of nearly 10,000.
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The prominent Brexiteer said his new party is “coming for Labour” after he clinched a victory with 21,225 votes, taking the seat from the Conservatives who came second with 12,820 votes.
Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump said: “Congratulations to Nigel Farage on his big WIN of a Parliament Seat Amid Reform UK Election Success. Nigel is a man who truly loves his Country! DJT.”
The former US president, who is running for the White House again this year, did not congratulate Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer on becoming the UK’s next prime minister.
Mr Farage has had a good relationship with Trump for many years – with the former UKIP leader being the first British politician to meet the Republican after he was elected to the White House in 2016.
During the UK election campaign last month, Mr Farage claimed Trump “learned quite a lot” from him by studying his speeches before he ran for office.
Farage, left, appears of stage with Trump during an election rally for the former US president in 2016. Pic: AP
Speaking after winning the Clacton seat, Mr Farage said: “I think what Reform UK has achieved in just a few short weeks is truly extraordinary.”
He added: “There’s no enthusiasm for Labour whatsoever. This Labour government will be in trouble – very, very quickly. We’re coming for Labour, be in no doubt about that.
“This is just the first step of something that’s going to stun all of you.”
Mr Farage is one of four Reform UK MPs who were elected following what will be seen as a good night for the party that was founded in 2018.
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Pic: PA
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Lee Anderson won the seat comfortably, while his old party – the Conservatives – crashed to fourth
Lee Anderson became Reform’s first elected MP when he was re-elected in his Ashfield seat after previously defecting from the Tories.
Mr Anderson was the deputy Conservative Party chairman under Rishi Sunak but joined Reform after being sacked earlier this year following a row over comments he made about London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
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Mr Anderson held onto his Ashfield seat comfortably, gaining 17,062 votes compared to 11,553 for Labour, who came in second.
In an even further blow to the Conservatives, they came in fourth behind an independent.
Meanwhile, Reform UK’s former party leader Richard Tice won in Boston and Skegness.
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