The fervor of the US presidential election has reached across the pond, as allegations surface regarding Labour party officials volunteering for Democratic nominee Kamala Harris’s campaign. The controversy, ignited by a complaint from President Donald Trump’s team, has raised questions about the propriety of foreign nationals engaging in American political campaigns. However, a former Conservative minister has come forward to defend the Labour activists, asserting that no wrongdoing occurred if they covered their own expenses.
Ex-Tory Minister: No Breach if Activists Volunteer
Robert Buckland, who previously served as Justice Secretary, stepped into the fray to offer his perspective on the Labour officials’ actions. Buckland, who has himself campaigned for Harris due to his distaste for Trump, argued that if the activists volunteered their time and paid their own way, they likely did not violate US laws restricting foreign involvement in elections.
If these individuals are going under their own steam, paying for their own flights and doing their own thing, and their accommodation is either they’re staying with friends or they’re paying for it, there’s not a problem.
Robert Buckland, Former Conservative Minister
Buckland did acknowledge that a since-deleted LinkedIn post by Labour’s head of operations, offering to arrange housing for party officials campaigning for Democrats in swing states, was “unfortunate.” However, he maintained that he saw no clear signs of wrongdoing based on the available information.
Trump Team Files Legal Complaint
The Trump campaign seized on the LinkedIn post, filing a legal complaint with the US Federal Election Commission. The complaint alleged that the apparent efforts to organize volunteers constituted “illegal foreign national contributions.” It also took aim at what it called “strategic meetings” between Harris’s team and Labour officials at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Labour representatives pushed back against the allegations, insisting that the party had no role in organizing or funding staff who chose to join US campaigning efforts. They characterized such volunteering as a common practice that occurs in “pretty much every [US] election.” The officials named in the complaint, Labour asserted, attended the convention solely as observers, with one’s costs covered by a think tank.
Starmer: Row Won’t Affect Trump Relationship
Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, sought to downplay the potential impact of the controversy on his relationship with Trump. Speaking to reporters, Starmer highlighted his previous interactions with the president, expressing confidence that their established rapport would weather this storm.
I spent time in New York with President Trump, had dinner with him, and my purpose in doing that was to make sure that between the two of us we established a good relationship, which we did.
Keir Starmer, Labour Leader
Muted Criticism from Conservatives
While some Conservative voices, such as shadow Scottish secretary John Lamont, characterized the situation as a “diplomatic car crash,” criticism from the opposition has been relatively subdued. Notably, deputy Conservative leader Oliver Dowden did not raise the issue when questioning the deputy prime minister during parliamentary proceedings.
The restrained response from Conservatives may stem from the fact that few sitting Tory MPs have publicly endorsed Trump. Buckland suggested that most Conservatives would align themselves with more traditional Republican figures rather than the controversial current president.
Labour MP Campaigns for Harris
Adding further intrigue to the Labour-Harris connection, Labour MP Ruth Cadbury reportedly utilized a holiday in September to campaign for the Democratic nominee in New Hampshire. While no sitting Conservative MPs are known to have engaged in similar activities, some prominent Tories, such as former prime minister Liz Truss, attended the Republican National Convention in July.
As the US election enters its final stretch, the controversy surrounding Labour officials’ involvement in the Harris campaign serves as a reminder of the global stakes and the intense scrutiny that accompanies the battle for the White House. While the Trump team seeks to portray the activities as nefarious, defenders argue that politically motivated volunteerism across borders is a long-standing tradition. As the dust settles, it remains to be seen whether this episode will have any lasting impact on the Special Relationship between the US and UK.
