Keir Starmer should not rule out the idea of using Nigel Farage as a backchannel to Donald Trump’s administration, Tony Blair’s former foreign secretary Jack Straw told i.
The Labour grandee said Farage could be useful in helping the UK avoid a US-EU trade war over Trump’s plan to impose tariffs of up to 20 per cent on all imports.
While the Reform UK leader appears to have ruled out the idea of becoming ambassador, his allies told i this week that he would be willing to lobby in private on behalf of the Labour Government.
Labour sources, however, mocked the suggestion that the Clacton MP could be relied upon as a go-between – with one saying he could “f*** right off”.
While some top diplomatic figures criticised the idea of relying on Farage as “farcical”, others think using him as a secret asset in Washington is a serious option.
Mr Straw, the Labour foreign secretary between 2001 and 2006, thinks it could be worth trying to use Farage as a backchannel on certain issues.
“In principle, given Nigel Farage’s close personal relationship with Mr Trump, it would be silly to dismiss possibly helpful communication he may have to offer,” he told i.
Mr Straw said the Brexiteer could be helpful on tariffs by emphasising that the UK does not want to be aligned with the EU if a trade war develops.
“That [tariffs] is not a partisan issue,” said the former cabinet minister. “It’s about the interests of the British people and the economy. We certainly don’t want to be caught up in any US-EU conflict on tariffs.”
Mr Straw added: “No one ever denied that there were some advantages in being outside of the EU, one of which is trade independence.”
The senior Labour figure warned Starmer that it would be unwise to involve Farage in discussions too often, or rely on him to clear up misunderstandings with the Trump White House.
“If there was a silly disagreement [between Starmer and Trump], then it may, frankly, be in his [Farage’s] interest to pick at the sore. But in areas of national interest, I certainly wouldn’t rule out having private conversations with him [Farage].”
Sir Tony Brenton, former British ambassador to Russia, said it was clear that Farage had “pretty good contacts with the Trump family” and that this could “potentially be an asset for the UK”.
“If you find Trump threatening to do things, or contemplating doing things, which are actively disadvantageous to us, and you’re looking for a channel, then it’s worth bearing him in mind.”
Mr Brenton, who worked in Moscow during the Blair era between 2004 and 2008, said the Government should not “exclude” the idea of using the Reform leader.
“If I were in the Foreign Office, I’d reply saying, ‘Thank you very much, and indeed there may be circumstances in which your good contacts will be useful … Stay in touch, and if you hear anything which is potentially of interest to us, then let us know’.”
He added: “The problem is that with Trump you’ve got something pretty unpredictable, and it may be that he picks Farage as the guy to talk to about the UK, in which case you do what you can to make sure that Farage says helpful things.”
Other senior figures are scornful at the idea of bringing Farage into sensitive discussions. John Kerr, UK ambassador to the US between 1995 and 1997, described the idea as “farcical”.
Lord Kerr told i: “It’s not going to happen. The idea that you would appoint either as official ambassador or as an unofficial backchannel somebody who is a major political opponent of your Government is absurd.”
He said backchannels were useful, but only if they were “trusted” insiders. “You don’t send loudmouth politicians who are your political foes.”
Sir David Manning, UK ambassador to the US from 2003 to 2007, agreed that it was too risky. “I would be very surprised [if Farage had any role],” he said.
“I don’t think the Prime Minister will use backchannels to Donald Trump. I don’t see why he needs backchannels. He has now established a working relationship with Trump, and he has a current ambassador [Karen Piece] who knows him.”
Labour sources said the Government could simply not trust Farage.
A Labour MP dismissed the Reform leader’s ambition to play a key role. “Farage thinks he can be a bridge between Trump and the UK Government. He can f*** right off.”
Meanwhile, party insiders dismissed suggestions that Farage could be a disruptive force and undermine the Government due to his relationship with the president-elect.
No 10 is “unruffled” by the prospect, said one insider, since Starmer has already had dinner and two phone calls with Trump since July. “We are focused on the Government’s relationship with the US.”
Some inside Labour are “depressed” about Trump’s victory. “Every single thing we do, everything they do will be seen through the prism of this one man’s reaction,” said one source. “And that’s going to be exhausting.”
The Government has been contacted for comment.
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