In a recent interview, Robert Buckland, a former Conservative minister, weighed in on the controversy surrounding Labour activists campaigning for Kamala Harris in the U.S. election. Following a legal complaint from Donald Trump’s team, Buckland asserted that Labour did nothing wrong, noting that it appeared Labour activists voluntarily covered their own expenses while canvassing.
Buckland, who has publicly expressed his dislike for Trump and has actively supported Harris, stated, “It seems that these individuals are acting independently. If they are paying for their own flights and accommodations—perhaps staying with friends—there’s no legal issue here.” He emphasized that the apparent involvement of Labour party officials in organizing volunteers didn’t constitute a breach of U.S. election laws.
The Trump campaign’s legal complaint accused Labour’s head of operations of facilitating “illegal foreign national contributions,” and criticized Keir Starmer’s party as “far-left.” Despite the backlash, Labour officials contended that they did not coordinate or fund staff who participated in U.S. campaigning, characterizing such volunteer activities as common in election cycles.
Buckland mentioned a now-deleted LinkedIn post by Labour’s head of operations that aimed to secure housing for party officials volunteering in swing states, which he described as “unfortunate.” However, he reiterated his belief that these actions were within legal boundaries.
Starmer addressed reporters during his trip to the Commonwealth summit in Samoa, reinforcing that volunteering for U.S. elections is a usual practice and clarified that Labour activists were participating in their own time. When asked about potential repercussions for his relationship with Trump should he regain the presidency, Starmer confidently stated, “No. I had dinner with President Trump in New York to establish a good relationship, which we did.”
While the Conservatives expressed some quiet discontent, it did not become a focal point during Prime Minister’s Questions. Shadow Scotland Secretary John Lamont criticized Labour for creating a “diplomatic car crash” that could jeopardize relations with Trump. In a separate commentary, Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, argued that the LinkedIn post indicated a serious breach of American electoral law.
As for Labour’s involvement with the U.S. elections, Buckland noted the differences in party dynamics, suggesting that many Conservatives align themselves with traditional Republican ideals rather than Trump’s persona. “Most Conservatives would connect with figures like Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush, but not with this character,” he remarked, highlighting the ideological gap within the party.
