It comes to something when Labour grandee Lord Mandelson — tipped to become the next British ambassador to the US — says Nigel Farage should be used as a “bridgehead” to build relations with Donald Trump’s administration as well as Elon Musk.
Mandelson said the UK should “swallow your pride” on the matter, by which he presumably meant a Labour government which has so far rebuffed the Reform UK leader’s overtures to help.
Musk for one has been a critic of Sir Keir Starmer, claiming the UK “has become a police state” because of its treatment of online hate speech. For his part, Mandelson said: “You cannot pursue these feuds. You can’t afford to do it.”
Sir Keir faces a dilemma as the UK economy pootles along in the doldrums. Alienated from the incoming Trump administration, Labour appears unsure of how far it wants to get back into bed with a sclerotic EU, yet this week signalled some interest in cosying up to China despite ongoing east-west tensions.
Into this confused state of affairs, Mandelson has thrown down the gauntlet. Will the PM put national interest first or instead indulge an adolescent prejudice against Farage and his ability to mend all-important ties with the Trump team?
After all, Trump tariffs are the last thing the UK economy needs. Yet, even now, there are signs the new US government could give Britain on a pass over this. But the chances of that shoot way up if Farage can indeed act as a go-between for Sir Keir.
It is also true that while Sir Keir and co may not see eye to eye with Musk, the latter is an incredibly important figure in global culture, business and technology.
For a country like Britain — already struggling to attract inward investment thanks to recent government policy — it seems rational to try and mend ties with the social media mogul, who is also on a one-man-mission to clean up American bureaucracy.
Labour is coming to be defined by its economic illiteracy and ideological dogma, even though Britain needs a pragmatic approach given the flatlining economy and competition for global talent.
Investment will not beat a path to Britain’s door if other jurisdictions look more attractive. Meanwhile, punitive taxes will drive away Britain’s existing wealth creators, including the young buccaneering types who will in the future fund Labour’s beloved NHS.
Sir Keir will only make himself look foolish if he seems more able to kowtow to Xi Jinping than work with an elected MP like Farage for the national interest. This moment then will prove a major test for the PM as he attempts to rescue his government from a miserable first period in government.
If Labour royalty like Mandelson is recommending Farage then Sir Keir and the gang really need a reality check.
