Biden calls Starmer to congratulate him on landslide victory in UK general elections

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Joe Biden on Friday called the UK's new Prime Minister Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his party's landslide victory in this week's general elections.

"The President looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Starmer to the Washington Summit next week to celebrate NATO’s 75th anniversary," the White House said in a statement, referring to a three-day summit starting on Tuesday.

Biden and Starmer reaffirmed the "special relationship" between the two countries, and the US president said he is "looking forward to working closely with Prime Minister Starmer on the full range of critical issues."

"They reiterated their continued support for Ukraine as it fights Russia’s unrelenting aggression. They affirmed their shared commitment to protecting the gains of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and working with the leaders of Northern Ireland to create and sustain economic growth and opportunities," according to the US readout of the call.

In Thursday’s elections, Startmer's Labour Party won the House of Commons by a landslide, capturing 412 of the chamber's 650 seats.

The Conservative Party, which ruled the country for the last 14 years, suffered a major defeat by losing 250 seats, from 471 to 121, with 23.7% of the vote.