The Guardian view on Labour and the US election: a storm in a teacup | Editorial
There is nothing wrong with foreign volunteers working for Kamala Harris, providing they do it openly and stick to the rules
You can say that the evidence of Labour volunteers dipping into America’s election to campaign for Kamala Harris may not do the Labour government’s diplomatic interests any favours if Donald Trump wins. You can add that the intervention has not been very competently overseen, either legally or politically. You can even point out that proud citizens of a self‑governing republic may not take kindly to being told how to vote by visitors from what was once the colonial power.
But it is, at worst, a mistake, not a crime. In principle, there is nothing wrong in Labour activists volunteering for the Harris presidential campaign. US elections are the most publicised and consequential on the planet. They affect and capture the interest of millions around the world, not just America. Providing the volunteers observe the rules, and bring self-awareness to what can be a delicate role, their participation, as long as it is public and at the margins, is a tribute to American democracy, not a threat.
Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
Continue reading...Date: |
Topics
-
World - The Guardian
The Guardian view on North Koreans in Ukraine: a Russian war is using foreign labour | Editorial
5 days ago - Ukraine -
World - The Guardian
The Guardian view on Europe’s struggling EV industry: driving in the slow lane | Editorial
October 13 -
World - The Guardian
The Guardian view on ‘indie beer’: crafting a new identity | Editorial
6 hours ago -
World - The Guardian
The Guardian view on the US presidential election 2024: a Democratic government is the one we need
2 days ago -
World - The Guardian
The Guardian view on Yahya Sinwar’s death and Gaza’s future: an opportunity that must not be ignored | Editorial
October 17 -
World - The Guardian
The Guardian view on foreign powers in Sudan: struggling for advantage while civilians starve | Editorial
4 days ago -
World - The Guardian
The Guardian view on North Korea’s competing calendars: arranging the days of our lives | Editorial
3 days ago -
World - Financial Times
FirstFT: Shares in McDonald’s plunge on links to E. coli outbreak
2 days ago -
World - The Guardian
Why are Labour volunteers causing a stir in the US election race?
2 days ago
More from The Guardian
-
World - The Guardian
Middle East crisis live: Israeli military says it is carrying out strikes on military targets in Iran
11 minutes ago - Israel -
World - The Guardian
Furor over Washington Post’s decision to not endorse presidential candidate: ‘Stab in the back’, ‘dying in darkness’
3 hours ago -
World - The Guardian
Chinese believed to have targeted Trump’s and Vance’s phones in US telecommunications breach
4 hours ago - China -
World - The Guardian
Phil Lesh, bassist for the Grateful Dead, dies at 84
3 hours ago -
World - The Guardian
Venezuelan opposition says detained activist has been murdered
2 hours ago
Latest in World
-
World - The Guardian
New York Yankees v Los Angeles Dodgers: World Series Game 1 – live
5 minutes ago - MLB -
World - The New York Times
Live Updates: Israel Launches Airstrikes Against Iran in Retaliatory Attack
9 minutes ago - Iran -
World - The Guardian
Middle East crisis live: Israeli military says it is carrying out strikes on military targets in Iran
11 minutes ago - Israel -
World - ABC News
Syrian air defenses confront "hostile targets" over Damascus, state media reports
17 minutes ago - Syria -
World - The New York Times
Israel announces strikes on military sites in Iran.
23 minutes ago - Israel