Keir Starmer hails shared UK-US values after Donald Trump win

Offering his congratulations, Scottish First Minister John Swinney said Scotland and the US “share many social, cultural and economic links”.

“In that relationship, we will stand fast in support of our values of fairness, democracy and equality – ideals that America was built upon.”

Newly-elected Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: “The world faces many serious challenges and I look forward to our two countries working together to confront them.”

Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader and a friend of Trump, said the president-elect was a “genuine friend of the United Kingdom” and urged the prime minister to “roll out the red carpet” for him.

“This is a huge opportunity to be grasped.”

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said Trump would be a “genuine radical” who would pursue a “big fightback against the administrative bureaucratic state which is far too big, far too powerful and actually very undemocratic”.

Other UK opposition party leaders have been more critical. Sir Ed Davey called the election result, external “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.

“Fixing the UK’s broken relationship with the EU is even more urgent than before – we must strengthen trade and defence cooperation across Europe to help protect ourselves from the damage Trump will do.”

Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer called Trump “a dangerous bigot, bully, and liar”.

“On this dark day, we stand in solidarity with all US citizens who fear a convicted criminal and a fascist in the White House.

“And we stand with all those around the world who dreaded this moment and must now live with its consequences, including those in Gaza and Ukraine.”