A passive Prime Minister who prefers process over politics.

Keir Starmer doesn't know what hes doing either. He can't assist in the US because our armed forces aren't in a position to do so. Its not some great position of principle.

I happen to agree with the premise we shouldnt join this war. Mainly due to Trump being so rude about our armed forces last time we assisted the US. Plus we need to focus on Ukraine. But I don't think Starmer has any conviction about anything so he won't suddenly have now. Remember...he doesn't read and has no knowledge of history...

My feeling about Sir Keir Starmer is that in a way, he doesn't do politics. Similarly could have said the same thing about Rishi Sunak when he was Prime Minister.

At the time of the election in 2024 I thought the main impact would be that the Tories would not be in office to inflict further damage to our public services and this country more widely. I was not expecting much from the new government, even though my limited expectations have not been met.

The authors also said that they conform to what their Times editor wants them to write

Be grateful then that those two aren't in power with their lack of knowledge and Trump support

Who cares. Keir Starmer (or whoever is operating his puppet strings) is the one making the decision supposedly.

Very good podcast, listened to it last night, thanks OP.

The authors of the book have interviewed many ppl in KS circle, it is not an opinion piece. I am sure they have their personal opinion of KS but they report verified facts.

what floored me was that he picked mandelson as US ambassador (despite the warnings) without ever meeting or talking to him once, either to probe him or give him instructions about what he was supposed to achieve for the UK. It’s Boris levels of carelessness and laziness. Absolute bottom.

Agree

I don't see how you can have nuance in a discussion, when you're only willing to consider one viewpoint.

They're not the same thing, obviously, but one's a necessary condition for the other.

Looks like someone forgot to tell them.

Did Farage and Badenoch know?

Presumably you had the same issue with Cameron, Osborne and the majority of all Tory cabinets since 2010? At least Starmer has a track record of turning round a huge government department.

I think asking for nuance in debate but only citing a single episode of a podcast (promoting an updated book by two writers for The Times) is hardly indicative of balance OP.

I know. All that money Lord Ali spent buying him nice clothes and designer glasses and people still take the piss. So unfair.

He can't take us into a war even if he wanted to on the basis we haven't got enough power. Eg only one operational aircraft carrier. So his "choice" is all a bit moot.

The podcast is actually pretty good and I tend to agree their criticisms were/are justified; at least that's the impression I've formed, although it's only based on what I've seen on TV or read. Starmer's reluctance to make decisions is, with regard to the Middle East, a (rare) point in his favour.

For me, the main problem with this administration is that none of its principle leaders have ever had a life outside the public/charity sector.

I think Starmer is doing a brilliant job, as for Trump what an idiot. He has no right to criticise us....look at how he treated Zelenski.... Trump is finished. Destined for his own wall of failure....

I think he is very professional and statesman-like. Every decision is considered, and later reevalued. So much better than the defensive, knee-jerk reactions from elsewhere. We are living in very difficult times and I am glad we have him as opposed to any of the other party leader.

Starmer’s very good at ‘urging’ but not much else. I’m also worried about who would replace him though so thinking better the devil you know.

Whine on about Starmer on this issue. Why not? Meanwhile we read that

”The US is no longer a democracy. One of the most credible global sources on the health of democratic nations now says this outright. The Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Institute at Gothenburg University reaches the alarming conclusion in its annual report, that the US is hurtling towards autocracy at a faster rate than Hungary and Turkey.” Guardian, today.
Trump can’t always have what he wants, and admirers of Trump’s politics over here can’t either.

He seems to have stopped doing that so much, thankfully. Badenoch on the other hand...in the last week she has been posing with tanks and tractors.

All of Europe and beyond are telling Trump no. Starmer has at least got this one right. I am not sure it is enough to save him, though.

I don’t think Teresa May would have agreed to back Trump. She wasn’t keen. Sunak would have had second thoughts too. They were more considered in their approach.

No to what?