The Huge Risks Facing Starmer At Trump Meeting

[naomi24]

//When Sir Keir Starmer visits the White House next Thursday, he will be treading a fine diplomatic line.

He will want to maintain his support for President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukraine's government. But he will also want to gain the ear of President Donald Trump over the talks he has begun with Russia to end the war.

All this while keeping out of the venomous verbal crossfire between Washington and Kyiv.

That will be no easy task.

Transatlantic relations are in pieces. The US president has upended America's longstanding support for Ukraine and sidelined Europe in the process.

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth says European security is no longer a US priority. Vice-President JD Vance attacks the very nature of European democracy.

It is into this cauldron of ideological enmity that Sir Keir will seek a hearing when he meets the president and his team at the White House.

So what can and should the prime minister do?//

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq8yxenev9eo

 

Good question.  What can and should the prime minister do?

[New Judge]

I think the best thing he can do is to remain in the UK. 

His ideology is not really best suited to engaging with the US on any meaningful level and, together with his idiot of a Foreign Secretary, he has done more to harm UK/US relations since last July than the rest of the country put together.

[vulcan42]

Personally I don't think he should go, he'll only make things worse but his ego will demand he should be there. He doesn't seem to realise the UK is no longer that important to America and we no longer have any influence with them strategically. True, the Americans do have several air bases here but only one, RAF Fairford, is capable of dealing with their bigger aircraft and that's only operational because it's a useful jumping off point for them and not for our defences. The Prime Ministers return will be reminiscent of Chamberlains but without a piece of paper to wave.They are both on a prolonged ego trip and neither like being out of the publics gaze for too long. His trip is a waste of time, money and resources as it will achieve nothing of any consequence.

[nicebloke1]

At least KS knows who's in the right, and continues his support for Ukraine and anyone who dont support KS in that just walks around with one big chip on their shoulder. Regardless of the odds against him of any success.

[naomi24]

Nicebloke, there's no suggestion of failure to support Ukraine - I don't know anyone who doesn't - but the wisdom or otherwise of Starmer - for whom Trump, understandably, has little respect - sticking his oar in is something quite separate.

[nicebloke1]

Its normal for a UK PM to meet up with a newly elected president of the US. This is no different other than the present difficulties of Trumps big mouth. 

[Untitled]

the meeting is pointless because the other side is much more powerful and completely undependable. president trump cannot be trusted. how can anyone work with that?

[davebro3]

don't forget the chicken...

[nicebloke1]

Then again if he didnt go? What would be your opinion? I guess either way he will be clobbered in one way or other.:0)

[youngmafbog]

2TK is damned if he does and damned if he doesnt.

Given President Trump has recently come to power I think it is right he should go.

However, lets hope he has more intelligence than nicebloke when speaking with him.

[naomi24]

It says a lot that he had to invite himself.  

[Togo]

https://www.thetimes.com/imageserver/image/%2F3081fa0a-db48-414d-ba0e-6fa3452c8902.jpg?crop=2669%2C1779%2C602%2C198&;resize=750

[Untitled]

going as a formality would be one thing but starmer is framing it as some kind of intervention. he appears to think the UK can and should act as a go-between for the EU and USA. i think this is a foolish ambition and a waste of time. 
 

but keir starmer loves this sort of thing. he enjoys jetting around and walking-talking with advisors surrounding him. he loves feeling important. i felt like being sick from embarrassment when i saw the joy on his face during his first visit to the USA a few months ago. he had one photo opp surrounded by journalists which looked like he was cosplaying the west wing. it was toe curling. 

[youngmafbog]

//It says a lot that he had to invite himself.  //

Actually I suspect Trump wuld like that.

But what do you expect him to do?

For once I think he is actually trying.

[Untitled]

this is the picture i was thinking of:

https://ibb.co/x4pMG11

the staging says so much about how starmer sees himself (and his job). cringe!

[naomi24]

//For once I think he is actually trying.//

 

I think Starmer is for Starmer.  He likes to be up front looking important which is why he's always swanning around the world.  For once I agree with untitled.

[nicebloke1]

How does Trump see himself is far more important, remind me who was that dictator from many moons ago who promised his people prosperity, he also made an affordable car that everyone could afford :0) the Beetle if I remember.

Listen to  Trump when he's addressing people in the US and he's a perfect match in every way.

[tomus42]

He has to go. It's his job, and America is still a NATO ally (on paper anyway).

It is pointless though, and I'm sure Starmer knows it.

Any co-operation we get on anything in future will be dependant on access to the NHS for American drug and insurance companies.

[New Judge]

"Then again if he didnt go? What would be your opinion?"

I'd be more than happy. President Trump will do what he thinks is in the best interests of the USA. He will not be unduly influenced by a pipsqueak of a Prime Minister from the UK.

There’s plenty of stuff Mr Starmer can get on with over here. One of his many “number one priorities” is to “smash the gangs” (which facilitate small boat crossings). There doesn’t’ seem o have been much progress made with that, judging by the number of arrivals, so he could get stuck into that. 

Unfortunately the best interests of people in the UK are quite low down the list of Mr Starmer’s priorities. Still, there’s always the matter of the Afghan women who want to play cricket. He can always help the Culture Secretary in her quest to ensure the Afghan women’s right to play cricket is fully pursued by the UK government:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/lisa-nandy-afghan-england-government-uk-government-b2701736.html

“Afghan women have the right to play cricket and the UK Government is “bringing all the pressure that we can”, the Culture Secretary said, after England was urged to boycott its upcoming match against Afghanistan.”

The Prime Minister has as much chance with that aim as he has with influencing The President in anything of any significance at all. And there is far less scope for damage.

[davebro3]

I think "pipsqueak" is the best description of Starmer I've seen to date.

[Hazi-Hammenuhoth]

Hasnt Starmer heard of Zoom?