The Brits are SO smart.

Hmm I dunno, Trump is a loose cannon. I'd feel better if HM The Queen and BoJo were still around to deal with him tbh...🤔

I thought the meeting went well. Starter countered the main issues ( free speech, Ukraine funding) well and there were a fair few comments about starter negotiating well.
But it all sticks in the throat especially the special relationship, offer from the king. I know its diplomacy but it still hurts. They have been so crass, I just think all trust is gone

Realpolitik, though.

Frankly - what's the alternative? We aren't in a position to force him to do anything.

Trump is voting with dictators and leaders of scary countries like North Korea and Russia at the United Nations. He is right up there and the boss of a far more rich and powerful country too, we need to do everything we can to keep him on side. And on that note, much as I would love to boo Trump as he passes now isn't the time to protest. Let him have his stupid tea with Charles and Camilla and let's be grateful to them for sucking it up. Also agree Starmer and Macron have done really well.

I'm entitled to show my distaste for everything this 'man' stand for. If you have been able to watch the AI video of Trump Gaza or the AMSR post about shackles and not be thoroughly disgusted, then you're different to me.

Pragmatically, yes, tariffs would be economically challenging, but if we continue to appease him what's to stop him from threatening tariffs on anyone and everyone anytime he doesn't get his own way? I'm hoping this diplomatic move gives us time to reduce our reliance on the US, but that will involve individuals too, not just our governments. We've been far too US centric - economically, culturally, militarily - and we need to forge new alliances. The US is only going one way.

I also think it's a real slap in the face to Scotland to have him here, especially in Aberdeenshire where he is universally loathed.

Under the circumstances though, it's not really surprising why a lot of people would feel miffed that we have to suck up to Trump. I think protests are going to be pretty inevitable, whether they're advisable or not.

@LadyBracknellsHandbagg we keep the islands and avoid paying billions to US, but they still have their base

Surely anyone paying UK tax would prefer that?

Looking at Dodd's resignation letter just now where she outlines the risks of slashing foreign aid and growing influence of Russia and China, losing regional power, stopping healthcare and food to desperate people and 'deeply harming the UK's reputation'.

Wouldn't you rather we spent those billions on that? Or if you don't think that's useful more military spend.

Then just ignore it. Don’t actively sabotage it. I imagine it will be carefully stage-managed though anyway.

It’s painful like watching Wolf Hall

Thank you, @TodayIsTheGreatest ... I'd been scraping my mind for what this reminded me of and that's exactly it!!

Apart from they’re not getting the whole country to do it, they’re not summoning us to line the streets and wave US flags are they? It’s unpalatable but necessary so just stay out of it, unless you want tariffs and less ££ being sent to prop up Scotland than usual

There is a strategic US military base on the Chagos Islands, we have many historical and ongoing military agreements with the US, they undoubtedly have more sway on the world stage than we do these days so it is in our interests, depending on your point of view, to keep close ties with them. Unlike the lies people were told during the Brexit campaign, the UK need the support and help of other nations more than they need us, that is a fact.

Whatever any of us think of the giant orange moron, it would quite simply be lunacy to put our national security at risk over this situation with the Chagos Islands. Quite simply, the US have us by the balls, and on this point in particular they are calling the shots.

It isn’t about what I think we should spend our money on, it’s about accepting that there are times when you simply have to accept that there are bigger things at play, and this is one of those times.

I hear what you're saying but it's one thing Starmer pandering to Trump's vanity - it's another thing trying to get the whole country doing it, when most people detest Trump for the way he's fucking us over.

Trump and the USA aren't acting much like allies at the moment.

Starmer did well pandering to Trump's vanity. He and Macron are doing a difficult job trying to secure the future of Europe's security, it's hardly surprising if he looks a bit worried at times.

If you care about the future of this country - please don’t. Let’s not engage in any more acts of self sabotage.

I live 40 minutes from Balmoral and will not be cheering. I'll be there to peacefully protest. And I won't be alone.

Oh I don't know, dictators and scary leaders of countries who aren't actual allies?

Yesterday he did well in that he turned up and didn't burst into tears. Those were his 2 achievements.

He obviously managed quite well as he was knighted for his services and became the DPP and head of the Crown Prosecution Service, that doesn’t happen if you’re ‘out of your depth’.

@LadyBracknellsHandbagg that's not an answer.

If the deal can be cancelled on Trump's say so it can be cancelled. No amount of 'it's complicated' from Lammy. He would have just stopped the deal.

Why are you so keen for billions to go on the lease to US rather than foreign aid or military?

No one is going to care the UK shifts on Chagos, not with the huge amount going on in the world

So why do you prioritise keeping the deal over spending on better things?

Agree. It’s really not the time to be doing a Love Actually speech. Life isn’t a film.

I think they should pull out all the stops for the state visit but not make any demands of Trump in that time, just work on the relationship a bit. Even phone to ask his ‘advice’ on one or two things (even if not acted upon…). Let things settle, and then wait for the right moment to present itself to address the big issues.

Like who?

I think Trump is one of the most dangerous people on the planet right now, together with Musk. And the stakes were really high yesterday.

Starmer acquitted himself well despite the pressure, even if some are unwilling to give credit where credit is due.

I certainly don't think Starmer has got everything right in government so far. He has made some significant mistakes. But yesterday, he did well and I'm happy to acknowledge that.

It's like placating a toddler, really isn't it, on a larger scale!

He isn’t ‘doing it for Trump’ whatever that means, this is an ongoing issue that has succeeded many administrations both Democratic and Republican and Tory and Labour, in short, it’s complicated!

The Chagos Islands are strategically important in that they play a vital role in regional and global security, which is almost certainly why the UK and the US poked their noses in in the first place, many years ago, because it was of benefit to us.

You can use this as an opportunity to bash Starmer and Lammy and this government if you want, but I would advise that you read up on the subject and try to understand the complexities of the situation. It’s not as simple as you are making out.

He's a Prime Minister, he will have far more scary folk to deal with than Donald Trump.

Yes, this is unfortunate for him but probably beyond his control.

Any sane person would be nervous in the presence of a powerful but unpredictable nutter like Trump.