Priti Patel hails ‘new era in US politics’ ahead of Joe Biden’s inauguration as she says the UK must ‘move on’ from Donald Trump
- Priti Patel said UK Government had worked ‘very strongly’ with Donald Trump
- But she said ‘we move on now’ as Joe Biden is inaugurated as president today
- The Home Secretary insisted it will be ‘very much business as usual’ with the US
Priti Patel today said it is time for the UK to ‘move on’ from the presidency of Donald Trump as his successor Joe Biden formally moves into the White House.
The Home Secretary said the British Government had worked ‘very strongly’ with the outgoing president but insisted there will not be tensions with the new US administration.
She said a ‘new political era is now starting in America’ and she believes it will be ‘very much business as usual’ for the Special Relationship.
Her comments came after Boris Johnson said he is looking forward to working ‘hand in hand’ with Mr Biden.
Mr Johnson is viewed with suspicion by some influential Democrats who regard him as a ‘Trump clone’ – an image that he is anxious to shake off.
Joe Biden will today be sworn in as the 46th president of the United States. Priti Patel said it marks the beginning of a ‘new political era’
Mr Biden will be sworn in as the 46th president of the United States this afternoon amid unprecedented security after Mr Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol earlier this month.
Ms Patel said now is the time to ‘move on’, with the two countries ‘coming together’ to work on an ‘exciting agenda’ on a range of issues.
She told Sky News: ‘First of all… we have an incredibly strong relationship with the United States of America and our government will always work with the president and his incoming team.
‘Now, in terms of the Trump administration, again, we have worked very strongly with the outgoing president’s administration on a range of issues and notwithstanding the fact that a great deal has happened over his tenure as president, all sorts of international events.
‘He has been very robust in terms of his particular posture when it comes to parts of the world, such as the Middle East.
‘But quite frankly we move on now. There is a new incoming president. Our prime minister has rightly so been in touch with president elect Biden.
‘We have got an exciting agenda as two strong democratic countries coming together that will be working together on a range of issues as we go into this year holding the presidency of the G7, chairing the UN security council, we will be hosting the COP conference, we have got a whole agenda on climate change.
‘So for us it is very much business as usual with a new team at this very exciting time with this big hand over, this change in power structures, bases, politics in the United States.’
Ms Patel said Mr Biden’s inauguration will mark the beginning of a ‘new political era’ in the US.
She said: ‘There is a change in presidency but, as ever, when administrations change, the world changes, the direction of travel – from politicians in particular, political leaders – always reflect some of the challenges and changes that we see going on domestically and internationally.
‘A new political era is now starting in America and there is a lot to do globally, there really is, as well as in the US – certainly uniting the United States at the end of the Trump administration and as Joe Biden takes over.
‘But also stepping up to confront and address many of the global challenges that we face collectively, and America has an enormous role to play in terms of global leadership and we look forward to supporting America on many of those challenges.’
In a statement issued overnight, Mr Johnson pointed to the continuing common interests the UK and the US share on defence, security and ‘defending democracy’ as he tried to win over Mr Biden.
Boris Johnson said in a statement issues overnight that he is looking forward to working ‘hand in hand’ with Mr Biden
He said: ‘I warmly congratulate Joe Biden on his historic inauguration as 46th president of the United States and look forward to working closely with his new administration as we defeat Covid and build back better from the pandemic
‘In our fight against Covid and across climate change, defence, security and in promoting and defending democracy, our goals are the same and our nations will work hand in hand to achieve them.
‘I look forward to welcoming him to Carbis Bay for the G7 and Glasgow for Cop as we join forces to protect our planet.
‘Only through international cooperation can we truly overcome the shared challenges which we face.’
Since Mr Biden’s election, there have been concerns the pair could face diplomatic difficulties.
They have never met before and Mr Biden has previously likened the Prime Minister to a ‘physical and emotional clone’ of Mr Trump.