As shockwaves continue to reverberate around the globe following Donald Trump’s stunning victory in the 2024 US presidential election, the UK government is striving to chart a steady course forward. Pat McFadden, a key cabinet minister and political fixer for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, emerged as a voice of measured calm amidst the tumult, cautioning against alarmism while acknowledging the profound challenges ahead.
A Pragmatic Approach
In a round of media appearances, McFadden sought to downplay fears that Trump’s second term would irreparably damage the cherished UK-US partnership. “The relationship between the two countries is just much deeper than stuff like that,” he asserted, referring to the litany of disparaging comments Labour figures have made about the controversial Republican leader in the past.
The Starmer government finds itself in a precarious position, having to delicately balance its progressive values with the cold realities of realpolitik. McFadden, Starmer’s political troubleshooter, is taking the lead in crafting a pragmatic response.
One thing I know as a cabinet member in the British government is the friendship between the United States and the United Kingdom is really important, it’s beneficial for both countries, and it’s in our national interest to maintain that.
– Pat McFadden, Cabinet Office Minister
Separating Rhetoric from Reality
A central pillar of McFadden’s approach appears to be distinguishing between Trump’s inflammatory campaign rhetoric and the actual policies his administration will pursue. When pressed on Trump’s pledge to slap punishing tariffs on British imports—a move economists warn could slash UK growth in half—McFadden counseled patience.
“I think you’ve got to understand that in an election, a lot of fiery things are said,” he noted. “President-elect Trump says a lot of fiery things, and the important thing is what he actually does.”
This wait-and-see stance, while politically prudent, offers scant comfort to those alarmed by Trump’s erratic style and extreme positions. McFadden seems to be betting that the solemn responsibilities of the Oval Office will temper the president’s worst impulses. But as Trump’s turbulent first term demonstrated, there are no guarantees.
A Study in Contrasts
The gulf between Starmer and Trump—in temperament, ideology, and governing philosophy—is glaringly obvious. Where Starmer is measured, lawyerly, and restrained, Trump is brash, impetuous, and polarizing. Bridging this divide will require deft diplomacy and strategic patience on the part of the prime minister and his team.
In his first call with the president-elect, Starmer struck an effusive tone uncharacteristic of the usually sober readouts from Downing Street. No. 10 said the leaders “fondly recalled” their September meeting—a description that strained credulity for many observers—and touted the “incredibly strong” bilateral relationship. The statement was accompanied by an image of a beaming Starmer on the phone, projecting an aura of unfettered optimism.
Critics argue this upbeat posture risks normalizing Trumpism and betraying Labour’s progressive values. But Starmer’s allies insist that engaging constructively with the US administration, no matter who occupies the White House, is an unavoidable geopolitical necessity. As the junior partner in the lopsided “special relationship,” Britain has little choice but to grin and bear it.
We obviously have interests as a trading nation. We want to protect and look after our interests, and we always want to have a dialogue with the US administration about those.
– Pat McFadden
Uncertainty Lies Ahead
As the UK braces for Trump’s return to power, major questions loom over the future trajectory of US-UK relations:
- Will the realities of governing constrain Trump’s most disruptive impulses?
- Can Starmer and his team find ways to productively engage with the administration while safeguarding Britain’s interests and values?
- How will the two leaders navigate thorny issues like trade, climate change, and the Iran nuclear deal where their positions diverge sharply?
While McFadden projects a sanguine outlook in public, behind the scenes, Starmer’s government is undoubtedly scrambling to game out all the possible scenarios and develop contingency plans. The prime minister faces a high-stakes diplomatic test as he seeks to preserve the benefits of the transatlantic partnership while placating a restive progressive base that views Trump as a singular threat to global stability and shared democratic values.
Much remains uncertain as Trump prepares to retake the reins of the world’s most powerful office. Will his pyromaniac instincts consume his presidency once again, or will the levers of American power succeed in reining him in? For Britain and other anxious allies, navigating the uncharted waters ahead will demand steely nerves, strategic savvy, and a liberal dose of good fortune. In the meantime, Pat McFadden and his colleagues soldier on, hoping for the best while bracing for the worst in the tumultuous age of Trump.
