A senior Tory has hailed Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s “dynamism”, calling it “relatively refreshing”.
Andrew Griffith, a close ally of Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, said the US administration has a got a “clear set of plans” and is willing to confront “some of the big challenges that all Western economies face.”
The shadow business and trade secretary pointed to high levels of public spending and an inefficient bureaucracy that frustrates the public.
Commenting on recent geopolitical developments, Griffith reiterated that the Ukrainians have to be at the table for any peace negotiations, and said: “the US is our closest and strongest ally”.
“It’s good those two [Ukraine and the US] are talking again”, he added.
He also praised the “leadership” of prime minister Keir Starmer as Europe follows his example in seeking to ramp up defence spending.
Griffith told Sky News: “The big issue here is, ultimately, Europe being willing to shoulder its share of responsibility — us collectively, the UK as part of that increased defence spend.”
He added: “I and my party think there is further still to go, but that’s where the prime minister has shown some leadership, and we need to carry on.”
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Griffith is then asked about the State of the Union address that the US president delivered to a joint session of congress overnight.
The shadow cabinet minister admitted he is “envious of the dynamism, not the bombast” that characterises US politics.
He said: “We’d use different rhetoric, different language.
“And particularly when it comes to particularly when it comes to very sensitive issues like the war in Ukraine, Russia’s invasion, it’s right that everybody chooses their language carefully, and cool heads and cool words should prevail.
“But you asked ‘what am I envious of?’ You’ve clearly got a change of government coming in with a clear set of plans to address some of the big challenges that all Western economies face: high levels of public spending, sometimes an inefficient public service that makes people feel government isn’t on their side — it hasn’t got the back of business.”
He went on: “You have seen a dynamism with the president, with Elon Musk, that I think is relatively refreshing. And it’s right that governments with strong democratic mandates have the ability to get on and do things.”
Josh Self is Editor of Politics.co.uk, follow him on Bluesky here.
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