Since taking office in July, United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer has sought to balance good relations with President Joe Biden with preparation for whoever might replace him. For example, Starmer took advantage of U.K. Ambassador to the United States Karen Pierce’s effective engagement with former President Donald Trump to meet with the Republican presidential nominee in New York last month.

As America’s closest ally, the U.K. has a vested interest in maintaining the “special relationship” whether Vice President Kamala Harris or Trump is elected. That relationship is critical to the U.K.’s economic and security well-being. But now, Starmer’s own Labour Party has thrown a wrench in his bipartisan works.