Boris Johnson 'isolated' on world stage after Biden triumph

The UK has been left "totally isolated" on the world stage after the election victory of Joe Biden in the US Presidential race, according to the SNP’s Westminster leader.

Boris Johnson is now "isolated" on global stage, say SNP

Boris Johnson is now "out in the cold" on the global diplomatic front, Ian Blackford has claimed, amid hostility from the incoming Democratic administration and ongoing divisions with European leaders over Brexit talks.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab insisted that there is no need to "rebuild relations" with the US after Mr Biden previously labelled the UK Prime Minister a "physical and emotional clone” of President Trump.

There is growing speculation that there will now be "no special relationship" between the UK and USA as a result of the rift between Mr Johnson and the President-elect, who is reportedly more likely to reach out to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Mr Blackford said: "Boris Johnson's increasingly insular policies both at home and abroad have totally isolated the UK, and severely harmed its ability to lead on key global issues from climate change, conflict resolution, poverty and inequality.

"The Tory leader's refusal to condemn Donald Trump's false claims of fraud in the US election, or Dominic Raab's repeated refusal to say that every vote should be counted, speaks volumes. Boris Johnson's decision over the years to align himself so closely with Trump's narrow and toxic policies has solidified his reputation as 'Britain Trump.'

"Boris Johnson's attempts to copy tactics straight out of the Trump playbook at home and abroad have left him out in the cold - just like his 'friend' across the Atlantic."

The SNP Westminster leader also slammed the Prime Minister’s “disdain” for the devolved nations of the UK means and insisted that Scotland will now have to become independent to restore its international standing.

"It's clear beyond any doubt that Westminster is simply not working for Scotland,” he added.

"Our vision for an outward-looking, progressive, and fair society has been held back by years of regressive Westminster policies. The only way to secure Scotland's future and promote our interests is by becoming an independent country, playing our part on key global challenges."

But Mr Raab today insisted that relations with the US remain strong.

"I don't think we need to rebuild,” he told Times Radio.

"We've got a very good baseline of support and we have a fantastic ambassador in Karen Pierce who I appointed when I came in as Foreign Secretary with the support and the blessing of the Prime Minister, who's doing an absolutely fantastic job. So we are in a good place. We've got good contacts on all sides of the Hill.”

He also played down Mr Biden’s previous claims about the Prime Minister being a “clone” of Mr Trump.

He added: “We don't start...re-litigating all of those issues. Things are said in the heat of political contests and campaigns but what is clear, what matters more than those snippets - and I understand why you put them to me - is the bedrock of the relationship but also the opportunities.”

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