Labour’s decision to send staff to help Kamala Harris’s US presidential campaign has drawn criticism, with US political commentator John Leboutillier warning the party “will regret” the move.
Nearly 100 current and former Labour staff are set to volunteer in key battleground states, including North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
The plan has sparked controversy, with some calling it “foreign election interference” and questioning its legality.
Leboutillier explained to GB News that he doesn’t believe the move to be illegal, despite not being the best one.
John Leboutillier pointed out the move is legal
GB News
He said: “It is not legal to for a foreign national to donate money to an American presidential or congressional election.
“So there is a difference. Now, you could argue that people coming and campaigning are what we would call an in-kind contribution because they are doing work that without getting paid for it.
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“So that’s in a way a donation. But the law is quite clear.
“They can’t give money, but yes, they can come campaign, make phone calls, help a campaign.”
He also warned that Labour’s decision could backfire. He said: “Labour will regret doing this because it doesn’t really get them anything.”
Leboutillier argued that Harris would likely be friendly towards the UK regardless of Labour’s involvement.
Labour’s decision to send staff to help Kamala Harris’s US presidential campaign has drawn criticism,
PA
He added: “This isn’t going to help anybody. It’s not going to help Labour. It’s not going to help Harris.”
Leboutillier suggested the controversy might benefit Trump’s campaign, noting that “in a close race, everything matters.”
Labour has defended its decision to send volunteers to the US campaign.
Alison McGovern, a Labour minister, told Sky News: “As far as I know, this is a voluntary thing and it’s about volunteers going and sharing their time. This is a normal thing that happens in elections.”
Kamala Harris is battling Donald Trump to become the next US President
Reuters
Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader, accused Labour of “direct election interference”.
He warned it could harm UK-US relations if Trump wins.
Labour staff have previously travelled to the US during presidential elections to support Democratic nominees.
The party maintains that volunteers are paying for their own travel expenses.
