The election of Donald Trump to the office of President of the United States earlier this morning has been dubbed “worse than Brexit” by one of the borough’s MPs.
Against the expectations of the vast majority of political commentators, Republican candidate Mr Trump stormed his way to the White House overnight, besting Democrat nominee and bookies’ favourite Hillary Clinton by a clear margin.
Veteran MP for Ilford South, Mike Gapes, was downcast about the election result, believing Mr Trump, who he also criticised for not believing in global warming, now posed a significant threat to peace in Europe.
He tweeted: “Comparisons with Brexit are fallacious. This is much worse.
“At times like these we need stronger defences and closer defence and security co-operation with France and our other European neighbours.
“As Ukraine, Baltic states and NATO worry about the future, Putin and the FSB will be celebrating their own role in electing a useful idiot.”
And as the polls closed across the pond, Labour MP for Ilford North Wes Streeting tweeted that he feared an outcome similar to June’s EU referendum.
He said: “I called Brexit last November and changed my mind in final week. Ditto Trump. Terrified of being right twice.”
As the night wore on the Labour MP’s fears were slowly realised.
“I think we’ve lost,” he tweeted. “God knows what happens next.”
And finally, at 5am this morning, Mr Streeting bowed to the inevitable.
“Stop the world. I want to get off,” he said.
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