Donald Trump’s campaign has leveled accusations against British Prime Minister Keir Starmer‘s Labour Party, alleging “blatant foreign interference” in the U.S. presidential election following reports that some volunteers traveled to support Kamala Harris’s campaign.
The Republican candidate’s camp has complained with the Federal Election Commission in Washington, seeking an investigation into what it describes as potentially illegal contributions from Labour to the Harris campaign.
For years, British political volunteers have made their way to the United States in the lead-up to elections. Activists from the center-left Labour Party generally lend their support to the Democrats, while those from the Conservative Party align themselves with the Republicans.
Unnamed British officials informed Reuters that several senior Labour advisers have engaged with Democrat strategists in recent months following their significant victory in the July British election.
The discussion centered on Labour’s successful reclamation of nearly all the former industrialized regions that had voted against the party in 2019.
Labor leader Starmer has refuted claims that the complaint could harm relations with Trump should the former president secure victory again on November 5. He emphasized that Labour supporters are engaging in volunteer work during their time.
The complaint presents a potential complication.
Donald Trump, known for his connections with Britain’s right-wing figure Nigel Farage and his past rapport with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, expressed admiration for Keir Starmer during their meeting in September at Trump Tower.
“This constitutes direct election interference by the ruling Labour Party, and it would be particularly unwise if Trump emerges victorious,” Farage stated on X. “Who is financing all of this?”
Rules for Foreigners
U.S. regulations permit foreigners to volunteer for election campaigns; however, they are prohibited from making financial contributions.
The Federal Election Commission previously fined Bernie Sanders’ campaign following revelations that the Labour Party of Australia financed the travel and meals of its volunteers who came to the United States to assist his campaign efforts.
The complaint filed by Trump referenced media reports alongside a now-removed LinkedIn post from Sofia Patel, the head of operations at Britain’s Labour Party. In her post, Patel indicated that nearly 100 current and former Labour Party staff members were set to travel to the United States in the upcoming weeks to assist in the election of Harris, the Democratic vice president.
“I am writing on behalf of Donald J. Trump for President 2024, Inc. to formally request an immediate investigation into what appears to be blatant foreign interference in the 2024 Presidential Election, specifically regarding apparent illegal contributions from foreign nationals,” the statement read.
“Individuals investigating foreign interference in our elections should direct their attention to a recent LinkedIn post…” Interference is happening right before our eyes.
The Trump campaign issued a press release entitled “The British are coming,” in which it criticized the “far-left Labour Party” for allegedly influencing “Kamala’s dangerously liberal policies and rhetoric.”
During a flight to Samoa, Starmer informed reporters that Labour volunteers had participated in nearly every U.S. election. “They are dedicating their free time to this effort, participating as volunteers, and I believe they are staying with fellow volunteers in that location,” he stated. “That is quite clear and uncomplicated.”
