Lord Michael Howard: Biden presidency is better for UK

4 November 2020, 07:35 | Updated: 4 November 2020, 07:44

Lord Michael Howard: UK will benefit more from Biden presidency

By Fiona Jones

The UK Government's interests are more closely attuned to a Biden presidency than a Trump presidency, former Conservative leader Lord Michael Howard told LBC.

Joe Biden and the UK have similar views over values such as climate change, international trading rules and NATO, he said to Nick Ferrari.

Nick pointed out that while Mr Trump believes in NATO, he just believes people should pay their "fair whack"; while Lord Michael agreed, he posited that Trump's "ambivalence about NATO goes beyond that."

The former Conservative leader assured Nick that Prime Minister Boris Johnson could forge a positive relation with Democrat Joe Biden if he were to win the keys to the White House.

Read more: US election 2020: Biden says 'we're on track' as Trump takes Florida and Texas

"These things take time but I think in the end, common interests really matter a great deal," Lord Michael said, "Biden believes in multilateralism, he believes in working with partners - whereas Trump adopts a much more transactional approach. He's much more interested in bilateral deals.

"I think we can benefit from a multilateral approach. I think it may take a little time but Boris Johnson would get on well with President Biden."

UK-US trade deal "probably is slightly more likely" with Trump as President, says expert

Turning to domestic matters, Nick asked the former Conservative leader's opinion on Boris Johnson announcing a second national lockdown starting at midnight on Wednesday.

Lord Michael responded: "I think this Government faces the most challenging, difficult set of circumstances that any peacetime Government in our country has ever faced.

"He's taken this decision extremely reluctantly, he's taken it to save lives, Government has an overriding responsibility to save lives and I support him."

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Two of the Household Cavalry horses are 'in serious condition' and there are concerns they may never fully recover

'Seriously injured' horses undergo emergency operations after London rampage - as one recovers in equine hospital

Two Household Cavalry horses 'in serious condition' amid fears animals may not survive after London rampage

Two Household Cavalry horses 'in serious condition' amid fears animals may not survive after London rampage

This is the moment Nick Ferrari puts a government minister on the spot over the government's new plans to ban smoking.

'When will the Conservatives be banning alcohol?' Nick Ferrari puts minister on the spot after smoking ban vote passes

'I'm ashamed to say Nick, I started smoking when I was 12' Tory MP reveals

Minister who reveals she started smoking at 12 says she's not interested in freedom argument against ban

This guest told LBC he was against Rishi Sunak's smoking ban because 'everybody dies in the end' and the NHS should 'price in' the cost of dealing with sick Brits.

'The NHS is there to make you healthy' guest dismisses smoking ban as 'everybody dies in the end'

Speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast, Lord Kim Darroch the former UK National Security Advisor for his assessment of the performance of "the current PM, the man who was PM and the man who wants to be PM"

Rishi Sunak has 'left the pitch free' for Lord Cameron to be Foreign Sec and 'toughen the line on Israel', says former diplomat

David Cameron tells LBC using RAF jets to shoot down Russian drones over Ukraine would lead to a 'dangerous escalation' in the conflict.

Nick Ferrari puts David Cameron on the spot: 'Why can't the RAF shoot down drones over Ukraine like they do Israel?'

Lord Cameron has described Iran’s strike on Israel as a “double defeat”

Lord Cameron urges Israel to ‘take the win,' don't retaliate and focus on defeating Hamas after Iran’s ‘double defeat’

Exclusive
Rishi Sunak has pledged a crackdown on shoplifting

'We’ve got your back': Rishi Sunak’s message to retail staff as he pledges crackdown on dangerous shoplifters

Exclusive
'None of our closest allies have stopped': Rishi Sunak defends decision not to suspend arms sales to Israel

'None of our closest allies have stopped': Rishi Sunak defends decision not to suspend arms sales to Israel

Exclusive
Braverman: Iran is 'funding and supporting proxies to carry out attacks in the UK'

Suella Braverman warns Iranian regime 'funding and supporting' 'targeted attacks' on UK streets

Exclusive
The mural on the wall of the Golden Chippy

A Greenwich fish and chip shop that's causing a stink over painting, as owner tells LBC he's 'determined to keep mural up'

Rishi Sunak’s job is under threat from a plot of backbench Tory MPs who want to replace him with Penny Mordaunt before the general election.

Tories 'need to stop messing around and get behind the Prime Minister,' Business Secretary tells LBC

Exclusive
'This is trivia': Kemi Badenoch hits out at continued furore over Tory donor 'racism' row

'This is trivia': Kemi Badenoch hits out at continued furore over Tory donor 'racism' row

Government suspends tariffs on key imports to boost SMEs launching £660 million northern powerhouse fund

Government suspends tariffs on key imports to boost SMEs launching £660 million northern powerhouse fund

'Floating voters' unconvinced by Jeremy Hunt's Budget

LBC's 'Floating Voters' left unconvinced by Jeremy Hunt's Budget