PM Theresa May congratulates Trump and vows strong partnership
Theresa May vows to build on the special relationship with the US but former Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett is not as happy.
Wednesday 9 November 2016 18:59, UK
The Prime Minister has congratulated Donald Trump on his victory and said she looks forward to working with him.
In a statement, the Prime Minister promised to work with the President-elect to build on the special relationship and remain "strong and close partners on trade, security and defence".
She said: "I would like to congratulate Donald Trump on being elected the next President of the United States, following a hard-fought campaign.
"Britain and the United States have an enduring and special relationship based on the values of freedom, democracy and enterprise.
"We are, and will remain, strong and close partners on trade, security and defence.
"I look forward to working with President-elect Donald Trump, building on these ties to ensure the security and prosperity of our nations in the years ahead."
Figures from across the British political spectrum have been reacting to news, which has stunned many who predicted a Clinton victory.
Dame Margaret Beckett, who was Foreign Secretary between 2006 and 2007, told Sky News that Mr Trump's election had left her feeling "a mixture of horrified and terrified".
She added: "This is a vile and horrible man who has fought a vile and horrible campaign.
"I'm not just talking about the way he treated Hillary Clinton.
"Look at the way he treated his opponents in the Republican Primaries - he insulted them, he sneered at them, he told lies about them, he insulted their families.
"This is a horrible man.
"Let's hope he was pretending and, in reality, he's this nice sweet person I'm sure we'll all be hearing about in the next few days."
Dame Margaret, currently Labour's MP for Derby South, said: "One of the things that really worries me is that we've seen in our own country that being a business person doesn't automatically make you successful in politics.
"He's used to people doing what he tells them when he tells them because that's what happens in the business world when you're the boss.
"Politics isn't like that - he isn't going to be able to just walk into the White House and tell the world to change and the world will change."
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the vote for Trump was a "rejection of a political establishment and an economic system that simply isn't working for most people".
He said: "This is a rejection of a failed economic consensus and a governing elite that has been seen not to have listened.
"And the public anger that has propelled Donald Trump to office has been reflected in political upheavals across the world."
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said that the "liberal values of modernisation, freedom and respect for the rule of law" had been defeated and could no longer be "taken for granted".
He added: "But those values are vital if we are to live together in peace, prosperity and freedom.
"Those of us who care passionately for those liberal values need to fight for them, to win the arguments, to inspire new generations to the great and historic cause of liberalism.
"Never in my lifetime have those liberal values been so under threat, and never have they been more relevant and necessary."
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon congratulated Mr Trump but added it was "not the outcome I had hoped for".
She also expressed disappointment that Hillary Clinton "will not be America's first woman president".
Here is what the rest of the UK political class had to say:
:: Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson
"Congratulations to Donald Trump and much looking forward to working with his administration on global stability and prosperity.
"I believe passionately in the importance of the UK - US relationship and am confident we can take it forward together."
:: Scotland Labour leader Kezia Dugdale
"While we must all respect the result of this democratic contest, today is a dark day for those of us who believe in compassion, tolerance and equality.
"Donald Trump was responsible for a hate-filled campaign that was dominated by lies, misogyny and racism. As President-elect, he now has a responsibility to America and the world to heal the deep divisions he has caused.
"Across the US, there will be women, gay people and Muslims who will now be incredibly worried about the direction of their country, but there will also be countless working-class Americans who will be hurting today. They all need reassurances that I very much hope will be forthcoming from the Republican Party."
:: Conservative MP Nadine Dorries
"NO NO NO NO NO !!!!!"
:: Conservative MP David Morris
"Congratulations @realDonaldTrump, who will be a Reagan of our times and recalibrate America and the world in a steady businesslike manner."
:: Labour MP Chris Bryant
"President Putin has just congratulated Trump. I bet he has."
:: Labour MP and former party leadership contender Owen Smith
"Le Pen and Putin the only international voices to congratulate Trump to date. No further comment needed."
:: Labour MP Caroline Flint
"'It's the economy stupid' - left behind white voters backed Trump's economic populism & stuck 2 fingers up to Washington elite."
:: Conservative MP David Davies
"Congratulations President Trump. Surprise of media & anger of commentators shows their failure to listen to, or understand a silent majority."
:: UKIP leader Nigel Farage
"I hand over the mantle to @realDonaldTrump! Many congratulations. You have fought a brave campaign."
:: Joint Green Party leader Caroline Lucas
"A devastating day. For women. For people of colour. For a tolerant society. But we must not mourn, we must organise like never before."
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