David Lammy, the Labour Party’s shadow foreign secretary, has garnered praise from the Pro-Trump think tank, the Legatum Institute, for his diplomatic efforts in Washington DC. The institute, backed by hedge fund billionaire Christopher Chandler, recognized Lammy for effectively engaging with both Republican and Democratic politicians, notably by softening his previous stance towards former President Donald Trump and advocating for strong UK-US relations.

During a session with a right-of-centre think tank in Washington, Lammy expressed his willingness to collaborate with Trump if he were to regain the presidency. He acknowledged Trump’s push to increase European defense spending, which he previously criticised but now sees as a bipartisan issue that shouldn’t be personalized. Lammy, who had in the past labeled Trump as a “Nazi sympathiser,” attributed those comments to the broader political discourse and his status then as a backbencher.

Lammy also highlighted various global challenges, including conflicts in Sudan, Yemen, Gaza, and domestic issues affecting working-class communities in both the UK and the US. He advocated for reduced social media reliance by political figures and emphasized continued cooperation between the UK and the US in tackling global security challenges and authoritarian regimes, while urging China to reconsider its alliances.

The Legatum Institute’s UK-US Special Relationship Unit, through its senior adviser Sarah Elliot, commended Lammy’s approach, suggesting it could indicate a shift in UK foreign policy dynamics, especially with potential political changes in both the US and the UK.

This acknowledgment by the Legatum Institute places Lammy’s diplomatic strategies in the spotlight, potentially influencing future interactions and policies between the UK and US, amidst the evolving political landscape.