Nigel Farage offers he could be ‘useful as an interlocutor’ between labour and Donald Trump

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has offered to act as a mediator between the UK’s Labour Government and US President-elect Donald Trump. Farage says he has a strong relationship with Trump and believes he can help improve ties between the two sides.

Speaking to the PA news agency at a Reform event near Exeter, Farage described Trump as a “pro-British American president.” He believes Trump could offer the UK “huge opportunities” if the UK government can move past any negative opinions about him.

Farage has built a good relationship with Trump over the years, and he knows many senior people who are expected to work in the Trump administration. He believes these connections could help in bridging the gap between the Labour Party in the UK and Trump’s Republican Party in the US.

“I’ve got a great relationship with Donald Trump, but equally, I know many of the other senior figures who will be in this administration, and I’ve known them for quite a long time,” said Farage. “It seems to me that with a Labour Party and a Republican Party who disagree on so many things, I might be useful as an intermediary.”

Farage stressed that he would not be doing this to support the Labour Government but to serve the national interest. He added that if the UK government asks for his help, he would be happy to assist behind the scenes in mending relations with Trump’s team.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour government are eager to build bridges with Trump before his expected return to the White House. The UK government has faced tensions with Trump, especially after Labour activists campaigned for Kamala Harris during the election. Additionally, controversial comments made by Foreign Secretary David Lammy have not helped improve relations.

Farage has often praised Trump, even suggesting that the UK should “roll out the red carpet” for him. 

He believes that no matter people's opinions about Trump, the UK needs to focus on the country’s key relationship with the US. “Whether you like Trump or not, this is the important point: in terms of intelligence-sharing, defense, investment, and trade, America is our most important relationship,” he said.

The future of US support for Ukraine is uncertain with Trump’s win. 

Farage has voiced his belief that peace talks could be a good idea for the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. While the outcome of such negotiations is unclear, Farage says it is important for the UK and the US to try.

He compared the current conflict with Russia to the Battle of the Somme, a famous battle from World War I, but with drones instead of soldiers. “Whether the peace talks succeed or not, actually doing it is the right thing,” he said.

Farage’s comments came ahead of his keynote speech at the Reform event, the second regional conference he attended in two days. On Saturday afternoon, he spoke to his supporters, expressing confidence in his party’s ability to make a difference.

He said, “The time has come for a new political force in this country that stands up for its fishermen, farmers, free speech, and controlling its borders. A force that believes in decency and the traditions of this nation.”

Farage added that Reform UK believes it can win power and bring change to the country. 

“We believe in the British people and in who we are as a nation,” he said. Farage’s words reflect his optimism for the future of his party and his vision for the UK’s role in the world.