Bloomberg Audio Studios, podcasts, radio news. We have a special relationship with the United States, doesn't matter who's in the White House or number ten, and we look forward to working with Donald Trump over the.

Bloomberg Audio Studios, podcasts, radio news. We have a special relationship with the United States, doesn't matter who's in the White House or number ten, and we look forward to working with Donald Trump over the.

Next four years.

Next four years.

David Lammy, the UK's Foreign Secretary, speaking today as Donald Trump is sworn in for a second term as US president. Now Lammy will be tasked with keeping the new commander in chief happy and nurturing the special relationship. But have the likes of Nigel Farage beaten him to it. Hello, you're listening to Blueberg UK Politics. I'm Caroline Hipkett.

David Lammy, the UK's Foreign Secretary, speaking today as Donald Trump is sworn in for a second term as US president. Now Lammy will be tasked with keeping the new commander in chief happy and nurturing the special relationship. But have the likes of Nigel Farage beaten him to it. Hello, you're listening to Blueberg UK Politics. I'm Caroline Hipkett.

And I'm Stephen Carroll. Welcome to the program.

And I'm Stephen Carroll. Welcome to the program.

Now, if you're a plane Sparta, that'd been a fe familiar faces stepping off the planes from London to Washington in time for the inauguration today. Liz Truss, Soela Bravman, Pretty Patella among some of the names who are intent are. The only official representative of the UK is the Ambassador Karen Pierce, but several figures, particularly from the British political right, are keen to be there to at least soak up the atmosphere, even if they're not officially invited. Kirstarmer won't be there. That's in line with the tradition that foreign leaders don't usually attend US presidential inaugurations. But Reforming UK leader Nigel Farage is a confirmed guest of the President elect at Caroline, a recent guest of yours.

Now, if you're a plane Sparta, that'd been a fe familiar faces stepping off the planes from London to Washington in time for the inauguration today. Liz Truss, Soela Bravman, Pretty Patella among some of the names who are intent are. The only official representative of the UK is the Ambassador Karen Pierce, but several figures, particularly from the British political right, are keen to be there to at least soak up the atmosphere, even if they're not officially invited. Kirstarmer won't be there. That's in line with the tradition that foreign leaders don't usually attend US presidential inaugurations. But Reforming UK leader Nigel Farage is a confirmed guest of the President elect at Caroline, a recent guest of yours.

Yes, absolutely only last week I asked Nigel Farage what he was going to do in his few days in Washington. Not that he would give me any details about who's attending his four hundred person inauguration party. Absolutely, he would only really talk about his economic plans, saying that he absolutely accepts that there would be a big initial cost on day one to the Reformer UK plans. But look, presidential inaugurations are usually domestic affairs, that's the tradition. It's obviously being used as something of a fig leaf for those who've been left out in the cold. Trump has gone out of his way to ensure a smattering of right wing and far right leaders have been included. Several other Eupea leaders have got the no Georgia Miloney that you commission head ursuvon DeLine though did not. And where as you might think that the French president menu in Macon might be in Washington. No, it's the far right politician Rike Zimour from Reconquest. Is this a statement of intent? That is what everyone is trying to understand about the Trump administration when you have Elon Musk sharing his new slogan on ex Mega make Europe great Again.

Yes, absolutely only last week I asked Nigel Farage what he was going to do in his few days in Washington. Not that he would give me any details about who's attending his four hundred person inauguration party. Absolutely, he would only really talk about his economic plans, saying that he absolutely accepts that there would be a big initial cost on day one to the Reformer UK plans. But look, presidential inaugurations are usually domestic affairs, that's the tradition. It's obviously being used as something of a fig leaf for those who've been left out in the cold. Trump has gone out of his way to ensure a smattering of right wing and far right leaders have been included. Several other Eupea leaders have got the no Georgia Miloney that you commission head ursuvon DeLine though did not. And where as you might think that the French president menu in Macon might be in Washington. No, it's the far right politician Rike Zimour from Reconquest. Is this a statement of intent? That is what everyone is trying to understand about the Trump administration when you have Elon Musk sharing his new slogan on ex Mega make Europe great Again.

Expression that's been coined by a few far right leaders in Europe as well. Let's discuss more now with bimbergs UK political leiser Alex Wickham.

Expression that's been coined by a few far right leaders in Europe as well. Let's discuss more now with bimbergs UK political leiser Alex Wickham.

Alex, are we reading too much into this?

Alex, are we reading too much into this?

Are we sort of desperately fumbling around the floor of the invitations that weren't sent or those that we have been gleefully received. What does it actually tell us about the state of relations between London and Washington.

Are we sort of desperately fumbling around the floor of the invitations that weren't sent or those that we have been gleefully received. What does it actually tell us about the state of relations between London and Washington.

I think it is quite revealing. I mean, you heard David Lammy there. He's sort of giving it a really good go, saying, come up, we're going to work with Trump, We're going to be friends with them. We're getting on really well with them behind the scenes in all our conversations.

I think it is quite revealing. I mean, you heard David Lammy there. He's sort of giving it a really good go, saying, come up, we're going to work with Trump, We're going to be friends with them. We're getting on really well with them behind the scenes in all our conversations.

Okay, yeah.

Okay, yeah.

I mean I think what is clear from you know, even stories that we have done on Bloomberg, is that Donald Trump has told his associates in Britain privately that he's not a fan of Kissed Armer.

I mean I think what is clear from you know, even stories that we have done on Bloomberg, is that Donald Trump has told his associates in Britain privately that he's not a fan of Kissed Armer.

Funnily enough, he considers him to be very left wing.

Funnily enough, he considers him to be very left wing.

He considers him to be not the right leader for Britain and not somebody that's his sort of friend basically because his friends of people like Nigel Farage, and that does present a huge problem for Starmer and for the Labor government. You know, America is Britain's closest ally. I think there will always be a link of how do I put it, the sort of quote deep state elements of the UK and the US will always be very closely tied together. The royal family, the sort of intelligence services, those sorts of things will always have good relations.

He considers him to be not the right leader for Britain and not somebody that's his sort of friend basically because his friends of people like Nigel Farage, and that does present a huge problem for Starmer and for the Labor government. You know, America is Britain's closest ally. I think there will always be a link of how do I put it, the sort of quote deep state elements of the UK and the US will always be very closely tied together. The royal family, the sort of intelligence services, those sorts of things will always have good relations.

With the US, but politically separate.

With the US, but politically separate.

But politically it is really really hard because you know, let's be honest, Donald Trump knows what Keirs Starmer and David Lammier said have said about him in the past. Elon Musk has been not reigned back at all by Donald Trump in his absolutely vitriol against the Labor government. They're interested in Britain, Trump and Musky. They claim that they love Britain, and in a way that's worse for Keir Starmer because of that interest. They think he's the wrong leader and they want Nigel Faragent, So I do think it's a big problem.

But politically it is really really hard because you know, let's be honest, Donald Trump knows what Keirs Starmer and David Lammier said have said about him in the past. Elon Musk has been not reigned back at all by Donald Trump in his absolutely vitriol against the Labor government. They're interested in Britain, Trump and Musky. They claim that they love Britain, and in a way that's worse for Keir Starmer because of that interest. They think he's the wrong leader and they want Nigel Faragent, So I do think it's a big problem.

Yeah, okay, far mean MIONI has five MPs in Parliament. His party is incredibly novel and we have to see whether whether it will last and withstand the test of time. But look outside of the official attendees, there are all of those conservative politicians like Zuela and Bravhaman, like pretty Patel. I mean, they're therefore all the shin digs, all the the kind of celebration and.

Yeah, okay, far mean MIONI has five MPs in Parliament. His party is incredibly novel and we have to see whether whether it will last and withstand the test of time. But look outside of the official attendees, there are all of those conservative politicians like Zuela and Bravhaman, like pretty Patel. I mean, they're therefore all the shin digs, all the the kind of celebration and.

The business dealings.

The business dealings.

I mean you can think of any all the foreign direct investment that US businesses make into the UK, the full bite scholars and all the other links that we have.

I mean you can think of any all the foreign direct investment that US businesses make into the UK, the full bite scholars and all the other links that we have.

Yeah, and you know, let's be honest, there are a lot of these parties, and there are quite a few hangers on both on the Trump side who claimed to speak for Donald Trump and on the UK side who sort of claimed to speak for the British right. And we should take what they all say with the buckets of salt. But I mean, you know, clearly Para arches front and center of the sort of British side of the Trump relationship. He has a kind of unique relationship with Trump and his advisors. And you know, you can just imagine in those private conversations, is Nigel Farah is going to be saying to Donald Trump, Oh, you know, do us a favor, get us a trade deal.

Yeah, and you know, let's be honest, there are a lot of these parties, and there are quite a few hangers on both on the Trump side who claimed to speak for Donald Trump and on the UK side who sort of claimed to speak for the British right. And we should take what they all say with the buckets of salt. But I mean, you know, clearly Para arches front and center of the sort of British side of the Trump relationship. He has a kind of unique relationship with Trump and his advisors. And you know, you can just imagine in those private conversations, is Nigel Farah is going to be saying to Donald Trump, Oh, you know, do us a favor, get us a trade deal.

You know kirstarm as someone you could do business with.

You know kirstarm as someone you could do business with.

Of course he isn't you know, He's a politician and he is standing against d He's going to be telling Donald Trump kissed. Arma's bad news and you shouldn't do any business with him.

Of course he isn't you know, He's a politician and he is standing against d He's going to be telling Donald Trump kissed. Arma's bad news and you shouldn't do any business with him.

Well, let's listen to a little of what Nigel Farage told you, Caroline, and we'll show on this podcast last week when he emphasized his close links to this incoming administration.

Well, let's listen to a little of what Nigel Farage told you, Caroline, and we'll show on this podcast last week when he emphasized his close links to this incoming administration.

Take a lesson.

Take a lesson.

It isn't just Trump that I've known for a long time. Aget on very well, which you know, which I do. Half his cabinet. I know, some of them are good friends, you know, this whole movement. You know, there are people I've worked with for a long long time.

It isn't just Trump that I've known for a long time. Aget on very well, which you know, which I do. Half his cabinet. I know, some of them are good friends, you know, this whole movement. You know, there are people I've worked with for a long long time.

So Nigel Farage there and of course today I just saw the photograph, arms outstretched, beaming Nigel Farage at one of the Trump rallies, you know, looking delighted to be there with all the kind of red, white and blue behind him. What is the scope of his influence on the Trump team? And you know, he does always say that he wants to deliver something for Britain. But as you say, as a politician, what might we expect from that relationship?

So Nigel Farage there and of course today I just saw the photograph, arms outstretched, beaming Nigel Farage at one of the Trump rallies, you know, looking delighted to be there with all the kind of red, white and blue behind him. What is the scope of his influence on the Trump team? And you know, he does always say that he wants to deliver something for Britain. But as you say, as a politician, what might we expect from that relationship?

I think I think it's really interesting.

I think I think it's really interesting.

You know, imagine being Peter Mandelson, you know, the new British ambassador to Washington. So long as the Trump team sign it off, You're going to be saying to Trump's team and probably Nigel Farage, is there anything we can do together to get this relationship fixed. Elon Musk is attacking the government every day, you know, Donald Trump is sending posts on truth social about British wind farms, you know, which which are in themselves pretty extraordinary.

You know, imagine being Peter Mandelson, you know, the new British ambassador to Washington. So long as the Trump team sign it off, You're going to be saying to Trump's team and probably Nigel Farage, is there anything we can do together to get this relationship fixed. Elon Musk is attacking the government every day, you know, Donald Trump is sending posts on truth social about British wind farms, you know, which which are in themselves pretty extraordinary.

What could Nigel.

What could Nigel.

Farrage do to help the UK? And the risk for Nigel Farage, I think is that he starts to look like he's actually undermining Britain and some of the British right do need to be a little bit careful about this because if if people start feeling worse off because of Trump tariffs around the world or even here, and suddenly a series of Donald Trump sort of Maverick slash Crew. The decisions starts to start to be looked at very badly by British voters. Nigel Farahs might want to think twice about being too closely linked to some of that stuff, as we've seen with Elon Musk. You know, you can get burned by hanging out too closely with some of these people. But it is you know, there is a potential there for big danger for kissed armor because ultimately, if things start to go wrong, people are going to blame the British government. That is what everybody always does. It's the government's fault whenever anything goes wrong. That's the that's the hard, hard fact about being in government. And you know Nigel Farage has this sort of vision now where he wants to be the replace the Tories as the main opposition in Britain. Even if he doesn't have the seats in Parliament, he sort of is there in the polls and he will really really try and grab onto Donald Trump and try and do this sort of global right wing movement. You know, whether the Brits British voters are up for it, I will remain to be seen. But anything can happen in politics, as we've seen over the last five years.

Farrage do to help the UK? And the risk for Nigel Farage, I think is that he starts to look like he's actually undermining Britain and some of the British right do need to be a little bit careful about this because if if people start feeling worse off because of Trump tariffs around the world or even here, and suddenly a series of Donald Trump sort of Maverick slash Crew. The decisions starts to start to be looked at very badly by British voters. Nigel Farahs might want to think twice about being too closely linked to some of that stuff, as we've seen with Elon Musk. You know, you can get burned by hanging out too closely with some of these people. But it is you know, there is a potential there for big danger for kissed armor because ultimately, if things start to go wrong, people are going to blame the British government. That is what everybody always does. It's the government's fault whenever anything goes wrong. That's the that's the hard, hard fact about being in government. And you know Nigel Farage has this sort of vision now where he wants to be the replace the Tories as the main opposition in Britain. Even if he doesn't have the seats in Parliament, he sort of is there in the polls and he will really really try and grab onto Donald Trump and try and do this sort of global right wing movement. You know, whether the Brits British voters are up for it, I will remain to be seen. But anything can happen in politics, as we've seen over the last five years.

Well, I mean, aside from that sort of grandstanding that we're going to see in Washington over the next couple of days, with all of these events, I mean, how worried are people in labor and in the government about the Trump administration and the sort of effect that it could have on Britain.

Well, I mean, aside from that sort of grandstanding that we're going to see in Washington over the next couple of days, with all of these events, I mean, how worried are people in labor and in the government about the Trump administration and the sort of effect that it could have on Britain.

Definitely worried, and you sort of I feel there's this kind of strange disconnect between some of the spin that's coming out of Number ten, even you know Lammy sort of going, oh, we're we're all going to be friends. Yeah, yeah, but even the sort of idea that the labor government is entertaining that perhaps we could have a trade deal with the US. Okay, Well, Boris Johnson tried to have a trade deal with Donald Trump and they were relatively close, you know, cutly closer politically and closer personally, and those negotiations went absolutely nowhere because you know, the American and British sides were so far apart, and the American demands were seen as you know, impossible for Britain to accept. So if Boris Johnston and Donald Trump couldn't do a trade deal, does Keir Starmer really think he's going to be able to get better terms. I think there's a kind of fantasy world being lived in a little bit by some people in Number ten. Others in government are more realistic and they realize there are major threats and it's the instability that's the problem globally, because as we've seen in markets in recent weeks, it's those sort of global moves that can have a very acute effect in Britain, and anything Donald Trump does that's unpredictable that affects the whole the whole global economy will be felt here.

Definitely worried, and you sort of I feel there's this kind of strange disconnect between some of the spin that's coming out of Number ten, even you know Lammy sort of going, oh, we're we're all going to be friends. Yeah, yeah, but even the sort of idea that the labor government is entertaining that perhaps we could have a trade deal with the US. Okay, Well, Boris Johnson tried to have a trade deal with Donald Trump and they were relatively close, you know, cutly closer politically and closer personally, and those negotiations went absolutely nowhere because you know, the American and British sides were so far apart, and the American demands were seen as you know, impossible for Britain to accept. So if Boris Johnston and Donald Trump couldn't do a trade deal, does Keir Starmer really think he's going to be able to get better terms. I think there's a kind of fantasy world being lived in a little bit by some people in Number ten. Others in government are more realistic and they realize there are major threats and it's the instability that's the problem globally, because as we've seen in markets in recent weeks, it's those sort of global moves that can have a very acute effect in Britain, and anything Donald Trump does that's unpredictable that affects the whole the whole global economy will be felt here.

Yeah, although that you could also argue that there's equally a fantasy on the reformer UK Parage side, saying that there are sector trade deals to be done and you know, with the right government those can be done. You know, let's not talk about agriculture but you know cour which is what Farage told us on Bloomberg, but you know, there would be sector deals to be done with financial services. You know, again that was not possible under serious negotia under the last Conservative government or one before last in terms of the order of business. Though when it comes to the UK, we haven't actually got to the other massive issue which is Ukraine and Britain's strong support of Ukraine and where Britain would be left if Trump does try to alter that landscape.

Yeah, although that you could also argue that there's equally a fantasy on the reformer UK Parage side, saying that there are sector trade deals to be done and you know, with the right government those can be done. You know, let's not talk about agriculture but you know cour which is what Farage told us on Bloomberg, but you know, there would be sector deals to be done with financial services. You know, again that was not possible under serious negotia under the last Conservative government or one before last in terms of the order of business. Though when it comes to the UK, we haven't actually got to the other massive issue which is Ukraine and Britain's strong support of Ukraine and where Britain would be left if Trump does try to alter that landscape.

Absolutely, and Ukraine is if you're the Prime Minister of Britain, it is the thing that you probably have most of your meetings on, or most of your important meetings on throughout the week is Ukraine. And certainly at the moment, how do you get through the next few months of Trump and whichever way he is going to go. They are trying very very hard to get Trump to not force Ukraine into negotiations prematurely where Russia currently has the advantage on the battlefield, because that would mean Putin is negotiating from a position of strength the Ukraine's negotiating for a position of weakness. But I mean there are conversations taking place daily between British officials, other European officials and the Trump team trying to make this case to them. They think they're getting somewhere. They think that they can convince Donald Trump. You don't want to have a sort of humiliation where Russia wins. You don't want to tell China that you know, aggression can be rewarded in this way. You don't want to do what Joe Biden did running out of Afghanistan, that sort of thing. They think there's something there with Trump in terms of making those arguments, but the reality is they don't know which way it's going to go.

Absolutely, and Ukraine is if you're the Prime Minister of Britain, it is the thing that you probably have most of your meetings on, or most of your important meetings on throughout the week is Ukraine. And certainly at the moment, how do you get through the next few months of Trump and whichever way he is going to go. They are trying very very hard to get Trump to not force Ukraine into negotiations prematurely where Russia currently has the advantage on the battlefield, because that would mean Putin is negotiating from a position of strength the Ukraine's negotiating for a position of weakness. But I mean there are conversations taking place daily between British officials, other European officials and the Trump team trying to make this case to them. They think they're getting somewhere. They think that they can convince Donald Trump. You don't want to have a sort of humiliation where Russia wins. You don't want to tell China that you know, aggression can be rewarded in this way. You don't want to do what Joe Biden did running out of Afghanistan, that sort of thing. They think there's something there with Trump in terms of making those arguments, but the reality is they don't know which way it's going to go.

Yeah, it's really interesting, and that's before we even get on to a complete you know, if there's a real change in climate change policy, d you and I policy agenda.

Yeah, it's really interesting, and that's before we even get on to a complete you know, if there's a real change in climate change policy, d you and I policy agenda.

Yeah, and perhaps there's an opening for the UK to take leadership and those positions as well. Those are issues that we'll have to come back to another day, but for now, Alex wickham Are UK Political Editor, thank you very much for joining us. That's it from us for today. If you like the program, don't forget to subscribe and give us five stars that other people can find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Yeah, and perhaps there's an opening for the UK to take leadership and those positions as well. Those are issues that we'll have to come back to another day, but for now, Alex wickham Are UK Political Editor, thank you very much for joining us. That's it from us for today. If you like the program, don't forget to subscribe and give us five stars that other people can find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

This episode was produced by Tiba Adabayo, our audio engineer, with Sean Grastamacha.

This episode was produced by Tiba Adabayo, our audio engineer, with Sean Grastamacha.

I'm Caroline Higer and I'm Stephen Carol. We'll be back with more tomorrow. This Heay's bloom

I'm Caroline Higer and I'm Stephen Carol. We'll be back with more tomorrow. This Heay's bloom

Berrick Bloomberg UK Politics listen weekdays at noon on DAB Digital Radio in London.

Berrick Bloomberg UK Politics listen weekdays at noon on DAB Digital Radio in London.