Andy Burnham has urged US President Donald Trump to bring the Iran conflict to an end, arguing that the Republican Party’s heavy losses in the midterm elections reflected voters’ growing concerns about the cost of living.
Speaking at the Commonwealth summit in Antigua, the Prime Minister said the election results presented an opportunity for world leaders to work together on issues affecting households, including the economic consequences of international conflicts.
Burnham said Trump had accepted the election outcome and suggested that governments should now concentrate on addressing rising living costs.
“President Trump has accepted the results, and I feel the world has an opportunity now to unite around the issue that’s affecting us all, and that is the cost of living,” he said.
He added that although his government had taken steps to address the issue during his first three months in Downing Street, international conflicts continued to make the task more difficult.
Iran and Ukraine Conflicts Identified as Economic Obstacles
Burnham said the Middle East conflict and Russia’s war in Ukraine were among the issues preventing governments from easing financial pressures on their populations.
He explained that he intended to raise the need for international cooperation during conversations with other world leaders.
Asked whether Trump’s political setback could lead to further escalation in the Middle East, Burnham said he would be pushing for de-escalation.
He specifically called for a resolution to the conflict and the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Prime Minister also rejected the suggestion that the election results necessarily signalled a broader decline in populist right-wing movements, instead arguing that voters wanted governments to concentrate on everyday economic concerns.
Republicans Suffer Major Losses in Midterm Elections
The Republican Party suffered substantial defeats across the United States, with Democrats securing control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The results included unexpected Democratic victories in traditionally Republican states, including Texas and Kansas.
Democrats also recorded significant Senate victories in Iowa and Ohio, despite Donald Trump winning both states by more than 10 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election.
In Texas, Democratic newcomer James Talarico defeated Trump-backed Republican Ken Paxton, while South Carolina elected a Democratic senator for the first time since 1998.
Kansas also elected a Democrat to the Senate for the first time since 1932.
The results leave Trump facing a Democrat-controlled Congress during the final two years of his presidency.
Sadiq Khan Celebrates Democratic Victory
London Mayor Sadiq Khan joined British politicians celebrating the Republican Party’s losses, describing the Democratic victory as a rejection of Trump’s political approach.
Khan, who has previously clashed with the US President, praised the Democrats’ campaign, which focused on hope, unity and support for families facing financial pressures.
In a social media post, he described the outcome as a “huge victory” and said the campaign represented a rejection of what he called Trump’s damaging and divisive politics.
Several Labour and Liberal Democrat politicians also welcomed the results.
Labour Left-Wingers Point to Immigration and Racism
Former Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell said the American election results should encourage progressive politicians internationally.
He argued that voters had rejected racism associated with Trump and his supporters, adding that the treatment of migrants had influenced decisions in several states.
Labour MP Richard Burgon also celebrated the Democratic victories, describing the Republican campaign as one of the most racist he had witnessed.
Burgon criticised the financial support provided by wealthy donors to Republican candidates, arguing that the party had still suffered major defeats despite the money invested in its campaigns.
He also referred to Lula’s recent victory in Brazil, saying the American results provided another indication that far-right political movements could be defeated.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski highlighted the election of Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, who defeated Republican Mike Rogers to become the first Muslim elected to the US Senate.
Other Labour figures, including Ian Byrne, Darren Jones, Peter Prinsley and Neil Coyle, also welcomed the Democratic gains.
Government Minister Says UK-US Relationship Remains Strong
Health Minister James Frith described the results as an enormous night for American democracy and the Democratic Party.
Speaking to broadcasters, he said the outcome appeared to represent a major shift in American domestic politics, although he cautioned that the final figures were still being established.
However, Frith insisted that the election would not fundamentally change relations between the United Kingdom and the United States.
He said the relationship between both countries remained strong despite changes in political power in Washington.
Frith added that the UK and US had an enduring relationship as close allies and that he did not expect the midterm results to alter its nature.
Trump Responds to Republican Defeats
Trump sought to distance himself from the Republican losses, pointing out that he had not been a candidate in the midterm elections.
In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: “I wasn’t on the Ballot and if I was, we would have won IN A LANDSLIDE!”
Speaking to Fox News, the President acknowledged that the results had surprised him.
“I thought they’d do better, we had tremendous rallies,” he said.
He also congratulated the Democrats, acknowledging that they had worked hard during the campaign.
Despite offering to work with political opponents, Trump subsequently posted an image of a red baseball cap bearing the word “Veto”, suggesting he could block legislation introduced by the Democratic-controlled Congress.
Democratic Gains Create Political Challenges for Trump
The Republican defeats represent a major setback for Trump, who will now have to contend with Democratic control of both chambers of Congress.
The outcome could expose his administration to congressional investigations involving the President, his associates and members of his family.
There is also the possibility of another impeachment effort against Trump, which would be his third.
The results have also raised questions about the political prospects of Vice President JD Vance, particularly his potential ambitions to contest the 2028 presidential election.
Democrats celebrated their victories by describing the outcome as a “blue tsunami”, with voters delivering a significant rebuke to the Republican Party’s handling of economic issues and the cost of living.
