Sadiq Khan’s recent remarks about “resurgent fascism” ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration sparked a quick response from Treasury Chief Secretary Darren Jones.
The London Mayor had intensified his ongoing feud with the returning president by calling on Labour and left-wing groups to confront the rise of “reactionary populism.”
However, Darren Jones wasn’t having it.
In an interview, he firmly disagreed with Khan’s view, emphasizing that the UK government respects Trump’s electoral mandate.
“I don’t agree with that,” Jones said.
“President Trump won a significant election victory in the US. As a democracy, we support democracy, and the American people elected Donald Trump and the Republican Party.”
His comments were made during an appearance on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.
Khan’s Continued Criticism of Trump
Jones was pressed on why Sadiq Khan seemed to be taking these provocative stances while Labour worked to build relations with the incoming US administration.
“He’s allowed to speak, but I don’t agree with it,” Jones stated bluntly, reiterating that his views were those of the government.
As tensions simmered between Khan and Trump, it was clear that this feud wasn’t going away anytime soon.
In other news, Jones expressed confidence about Lord Mandelson’s appointment as the UK ambassador to the US, despite concerns over potential vetoes.
He explained that the choice to appoint Mandelson was a strategic one, aiming to create a fresh approach.
“I think Peter Mandelson will be a brilliant ambassador and will form a strong partnership with the new administration,” Jones said.
The UK’s Strong Position with the US
Jones also reassured the public that the political differences between the UK and the US wouldn’t harm the long-standing relationship between the two nations.
“The UK and the US have a deep-rooted relationship,” he said.
“I think Britain needs to be confident in its position.”
According to Jones, the UK’s economy, security, and values are intricately tied to those of the US, regardless of who sits in the White House.
Looking ahead, he was optimistic about opportunities for the UK to strike deals with President Trump, both for economic reasons and to strengthen the alliance between democratic nations.
“Our values are strongly intertwined with the Americans, irrespective of who their president is,” Jones noted.
The Feud Between Khan and Trump
Sadiq Khan and Donald Trump have never seen eye to eye, with their relationship being marked by numerous clashes.
The tension flared up again in May, when Trump made derogatory comments about London, calling the city “unrecognizable” due to its open doors to jihad.
Khan responded strongly, defending the city and criticizing Trump’s hard-right populism.
Despite this ongoing animosity, Khan refrained from immediately congratulating Trump after his November election victory, though he did so eventually.
In a The Observer article, Khan expressed his concerns about the rise of far-right movements, citing groups like Germany’s AfD and France’s National Rally.
He called for a “renewed and concerted effort” to confront these forces, whom he labeled as opportunists seeking to divide people for personal gain.
The Challenge of Far-Right Movements
Khan’s warnings resonated on a global scale, as he warned progressives across the West about the growing threat posed by the far-right.
“The far-right is on the march. These are deeply worrying times, especially if you’re a member of a minority community,” he wrote.
Khan pointed to the disturbing echoes of the 1920s and 30s in today’s political climate, stressing that the stakes for liberal democracy had never been higher.
The London Mayor also took aim at the financial elites who, in his view, were prioritizing profits over the health of democracies.
“Progressives across the Western world face a century-defining challenge,” he wrote, criticizing figures like Elon Musk for their role in enabling far-right forces.
In the final part of his message, Khan made a veiled reference to Labour figures, such as Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who had softened their criticism of Trump.
“I agree with the government that we need to be pragmatic on the international stage,” Khan acknowledged, but added that progressives should never give in to the far-right.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn