As Donald Trump returns to power and begins trampling on hard-fought progress, democratic norms and human rights, the only response consistent with the United Kingdom’s global responsibilities is to re-think the ‘special relationship’ in 2025.
And here’s my solution – we ditch it.
For too long, Britain has held tight to the notion that we should stand by the States, no matter who sits behind the famous White House desk.
We’ve seen this blind loyalty time and again: from Tony Blair’s unwavering support for George W. Bush, which led to the illegal invasion of Iraq, resulting in the death and displacement of millions of innocent lives, to the current rush of British politicians to placate Trump.
But Trump’s record speaks for itself: He has actively undermined democracy, praised authoritarian rulers, and done everything he can to sow distrust and division in his country.
He attempted to overturn a legitimate election result, trashed the fundamental principle of a free press – going as far as saying he wouldn’t mind someone ‘shoot[ing] through the fake news’ – inflamed tensions with minority communities, and condoned violence among his supporters.
His administration’s policies tore children from their parents at the border, mishandled the Covid-19 crisis at the cost of countless lives, rolled back protections for LGBTQ+ people, and began a nationwide hacking away of abortion rights.
If these devastating acts happened in a democratic country anywhere else, Britain would be the first to speak out. Yet here we are, with politicians from all parties preparing to ‘make nice’ with Trump.
This dangerous appeasement isn’t just a moral failure; it is strategically reckless. Time after time, history shows us that engaging with dictators only emboldens them.
British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s appeasement of Adolf Hitler is a prime example of how legitimising dangerous leaders backfires, often with catastrophic results.
The UK rightly prides itself on democracy, human rights and the rule of law; it’s part of what makes our country so great. But this cannot be reconciled with our shrugging off of Trump’s disregard for these fundamental values.
We wouldn’t dream of working hand-in-glove with any other leader who boasts a willingness to abuse power, so why are we treating Trump differently?
Trump also poses serious risks on the global stage, alienating allies and undermining NATO, which has kept European security intact for decades. His public spats with international partners open up troubling gaps for other opportunistic regimes – from Russia to China – to exploit.
Meanwhile, our heroic friends in Ukraine are fighting a thankless battle for their fundamental right to exist.
I am immensely proud of the United Kingdom’s response to this conflict so far – though we can and should go further – and grateful to the European Union, President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris for their steadfast support.
Ukraine is our neighbour, and their very survival is now under even greater threat as Trump’s presidency is prepared to hand Vladimir Putin and other despots free rein.
The horror of that prospect is only heightened by British politicians like David Lammy, who once called him a ‘woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath’ but now defends him as ‘very affable’ and ‘very warm’.
British politicians softening their tone underlines just how quickly even the fiercest critics fall back in line when the United States flexes its muscles.
It’s time for the UK to show moral courage and strategic clarity. We cannot continue to cling to a ‘special relationship’ with a leader who promised to behave like a dictator from Day One.
Diplomacy matters, but it does not mean compromising our core values, basic human rights, and international stability.
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We have repeatedly condemned authoritarianism in other countries, and we cannot back down now just because the individual in question happens to lead the United States of America.
The United Kingdom is a world leader and has a moral and strategic imperative to say ‘enough is enough’. We cannot negotiate with a leader who openly derides our most deeply held principles, and we should refuse any pretence that we can work with him as we would a legitimate democratic leader.
If we truly value our great country’s founding principles, then there has never been a greater moment to prove it.
Anything else, above all, betrays our own country.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk.
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