Iain Duncan Smith says people should avoid an 'orgy of complaint' over Trump's election result

Iain Duncan Smith has suggested Donald Trump's victory is a chance for the UK to rebuild its "special relationship" with the US, urging people against "an orgy of complaint" over the result.

The conservative politician drew parallels with the shock of the Brexit announcement in an article on the US election for Conservative Home, in which he also criticised current US president, Barack Obama.

"Whatever our own personal feelings about the winner, having gone through a similar shake up here in the UK we are now uniquely placed to help shape the future," Duncan Smith wrote.

"After all, for the last eight years, President Obama made it abundantly clear that he did not consider the UK as any more important in his international relations than any other country, particularly Germany and the EU itself.

"The so called 'special relationship' wasn't very special and not much of a relationship. The final insult was when he came over here and told us we would be in the "back of the queue" when it came to a trade deal if we left the EU. Now, all that could be about to change, as Trump heads to the White House."

Trump's campaign has made no secret of the inspiration it drew from the Brexit vote, with former UKIP leader Nigel Farage visiting the US for the Republican National Convention and Trump referring to himself as "Mr Brexit".

Trump supporter Sarah Palin, who is rumoured to be under consideration for a post in the Trump's cabinet, also drew comparisons between the results, telling Sky News: "Great Britain and America; see how we're hooking up now."

She added: "We're going rogue and saying the people are going to take back control of our governance, really.

"We're going to be able to say we don't want this globalism – we cant be telling other countries how to sweep their porches if we cant sweep our own yet. So we've got to take care of what's going on here within our borders just like you all have done, especially recently."

However, the parallels Duncan Smith drew between the two events came from the public outcry that followed the results, with the former work and pensions secretary warning people not to get swept up in mourning.

He added: "In the UK, we have a choice. We can, like so many others, indulge ourselves in an orgy of complaint about the result – we have already seen that kind of behaviour over the Brexit result. Or we can choose to engage with the new administration in a positive way.

"After all, Trump has already indicated that he regards the UK as a close ally and friend of the United States, and that when ready the UK would be his first choice for initiating a new trade deal.

"Yes, he has said some outrageous, ill-thought-through things about the USA's international commitments but his acceptance speech seemed to indicate a more moderate tone, more conciliatory."