If Trump wins, I wonder if the BBC will be as exultant as it was in 2008, when Obama won? Here’s a small bet – it won’t be. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. It’s almost worth him winning for that alone. Oh, and for the Guardian’s tears.
I don’t like Trump. There seems to be no coherence to his policies. He is boorish, sure. But it is his inarticulacy and apparent stupidity that bothers me more. That being said, if you are British and a pragmatist you should be hoping for Trump to win. It is incredible the degree to which this particular facet of the US election – easily the most important to us over here – has been ignored by the media. Because when you examine the contrasting policies towards the UK from the two candidates, it really is a no-brainer who we should hope to win.
Take Brexit. Whether you were for Remain or Leave, we are leaving and need to secure the best possible future for our country, no? The Democrats have made it absolutely clear that in trade deals we are ‘at the back of the queue’. They were vehemently opposed to Brexit, a position made clear by Hillary Clinton herself, who also opposed any independent trade deal with the UK, worried that it might have an impact upon US jobs. There is no such problem with Trump – who not only cheered the Brexit result but has said that a trade deal with Britain would be near the top of his agenda. Whether a Remainer or a Leaver, then, it’s clear that Trump is better for Britain.
I don’t know what the Donald’s policies are on Latin America, apart from the exciting wall stuff. But I do know that Hillary Clinton has been insistent that we enter talks with Argentina to discuss the future of the Falklands. She was importuning on behalf of the Argies while Secretary of State. We told her to piss off. There would be no such rubbish from Trump.
But more importantly than all of these, he is far less prone to the hysterical rubbish the West – and especially the US Democrats – are whipping up against Russia. This is to my mind by far the most dangerous development in foreign policy for twenty years, and I do not understand the point of it. Nor does Trump, to the extent of being described as a stooge of the Kremlin. My suspicion is that he knows far better who are the real enemies of the West.
As I say, I don’t like Trump. And I can see many reasons why Americans would prefer Clinton as president. But in pragmatic terms, I cannot see a single reason why British people would yearn for a Clinton presidency, other than it accords with their ideologies.
After the American people have voted, what next for the US and the rest of the world? Join panellists including Sir Christopher Meyer, KCMG, former British ambassador to the US, for a discussion chaired by Andrew Neil on 30 November at RIBA, London. Tickets include a drinks reception. In association with Seven Investment Management. Book now.
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