Starmer faces Farage revolt as Labour split on Mandelson working with Reform UK to woo Trump
Labour is facing an internal split over Lord Mandelson’s controversial plan to work with Nigel Farage in building relations with Donald Trump.
The Telegraph revealed that Mandelson, recently appointed as ambassador to the US, intends to call upon the Reform UK leader to help win over the President-elect’s team.
The strategy has sparked fierce opposition from within the party, with some Labour MPs warning it would “damage” the party if the former business secretary collaborated with Farage.
The divide highlights growing tensions between pragmatic diplomatic approaches and concerns about compromising Labour’s core values.
Lord Mandelson’s strategy centres on engaging with Farage as part of efforts to prevent potential trade conflicts with the incoming Trump administration.
As a former EU commissioner for trade, Mandelson aims to persuade the President-elect against imposing tariffs on Britain.
Before his ambassadorial appointment, Mandelson had urged Sir Keir Starmer to use Farage as a “bridge” to the United States.
A source close to Mandelson defended the approach, telling the publication: “I am sure that would be a view held by some, but not those who need to conduct UK-US relations in the most optimum way.”
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Starmer’s spokesman noted that the Prime Minister has already begun building relations with Trump through recent meetings and calls.
Labour MPs have voiced strong opposition to the proposed collaboration with Farage.
One MP said: “Peter Mandelson has for a long time been an advocate for a shift to American-style free market liberalism which is different to how most people see our country as a beacon of fairness.”
The same MP warned that “Trump and Musk want to see our great country as a US outpost, doing Washington’s bidding”.
Another Labour MP insisted: “No government should provide a platform for people who hold the values of the Reform Party. Instead it must develop a programme of diplomacy and trade, rooted in Labour values.”
Senior Labour figures expressed concern that such an overture to Right-wing politicians would “elevate” their cause.
Downing Street has strongly defended Lord Mandelson’s appointment despite recent controversies.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman dismissed concerns about potential harm to UK-US relations.
“The appointment shows just how seriously we’re taking this relationship,” the spokesman said.
They added that Mandelson’s “extensive foreign and economic policy expertise, particularly on the crucial issue of trade” would make him a “significant asset.”
This defence came despite Mandelson being called a “moron” by Trump’s campaign manager Chris LaCivita.
The publication also unearthed remarks from 2019 where Mandelson claimed Trump was a “danger to the world.”
The appointment has drawn particular criticism from former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott.
Abbott attacked the characterisation of Mandelson, stating: “Ugh! Mandelson repeatedly referred to as a big hitter or big beast, even by himself. Never applied to women in politics with just as much experience.”
Mandelson’s controversial past includes two resignations from government roles.
He lasted less than five months as trade secretary in 1998 after failing to declare a £373,000 interest-free loan from a ministerial colleague.
He later resigned from a second government position over allegations regarding an Indian billionaire’s passport application, though he was subsequently cleared by an official inquiry.