Theresa May congratulates Donald Trump on his victory

The Prime Minister has issued a statement congratulating Donald Trump on his election as the next President of the United States. In this, Theresa May says she looks forward to working with Trump to ‘ensure the security and prosperity of our nations in the years ahead’. ‘Britain and the United States have an enduring and special relationship based on the values of freedom, democracy and enterprise,’ says May. ‘We are, and will remain, strong and close partners on trade, security and defence.’

While it is customary for the Prime Minister to congratulate a new president, her comments are a marked change to the language David Cameron used towards Trump when he was in 10 Downing Street. After Cameron called Trump’s proposal for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the US ‘divisive, stupid and wrong’, the Republican said he may not have a ‘very good relationship’ with Cameron if he enters the White House. In contrast to her predecessor, May is laying the groundwork for a successful working relationship with the newly elected leader of the free world.