Thread 18 Starmer: All sides of the House agree apart from the Trump bootlickers

[DuncinToffee]

Previous thread

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5264338-thread-17-starmer-treading-softly?page=40&reply=142243865

Who were these 'experts'?

The BBC is reporting a sudden shift in Russian rhetoric. For years the line has been to blame the US for threats to Russian security. Today it is saying that America is innocent and Europe is the aggressor.

Actually the handling of the minerals question is extremely important.

No doubt sotto that a deal on minerals was always what Biden wanted too, though he was less naked on that than Trump is. That likely included Europe and the UK.

The issue of critical minerals is important to the US, UK and EU MS. None of these places have major deposits of all critical minerals, only some.

Even worse, none of the above have the technological capacity to refine them for use. That capacity is almost uniquely in the hands of China. If China decided to put export licences on these refined versions then the US tech industry would be on the skids in terms of hardware. Don't be fooled by our press. In many areas the West is technologically behind China. And unlike Trump's new best fwend, they don't agree joint ventures which mean the intellectual property is stolen.

Honestly China is light years ahead. And we should think carefully about that instead if getting dragged into Trump's ideological idiocy

Its the reality, as sad and pathetic as that it is, surely you've heard Trump talk about women and non Christian religions?
The way he spoke to the parents of a Muslim young man who died in Afghanistan serving as a US Marine?

Trump doesn't even hide it, he associates himself with the Proud Boys, a latter day KKK outfit... DT rowed back on that bt he said it in the first place.

"Today, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov signalled a striking rhetorical shift. He claimed that for 500 years, “all the world’s tragedies have either originated in Europe or happened because of European policies,” insisting that Americans have played no role in “instigating” conflicts."

Sky did an article on just this subject, any commercial mining is 10 years away, most of the rare earth stuff is in Russian occupied areas and in relatively tiny amounts compared to say Chile or even the USA.

What it does have is lots of coal and oil, just what we need .. Not.

This bonanza of wealthy minerals is much like the rare earth stuff that is waiting to be dug up in Devon and Cornwall... decades later... we are still waiting!

Sergei Lavrov is the most disengenous man. He would say anything and nothing. But he does understand you have to be nice to the current crop of Americans.

I'll take that.

Folks with a memory will recall all the bluster of the past 3 years from Putin. Which I am pleased to say the UK has totally ignored. Despite the views of some MNetters.

Yes, I’m agreeing with you about Trump’s nasty bigotry.

My point was that saying that Sunak or Truss would be less capable than Starmer at getting a good reception from Trump, because of their skin colour or sex, that’s not a pleasant argument to make against them.

China tried restricting the sale of rare earth minerals in the early 2010s.

Didn't really go their way. They don't really grasp the fundamentals of capitalism.

I agree. I do t think "reform" will exist.

But much like The Brexit party and UKIP I fear another party of the same ilk but different name will pop up.

Possibly even also run by Farage.

Agree, this is where his lawyer background and human rights background will stand him in good stead.

I actually pleased Badenoch is turning it down a notch. We actually need decent parties across the whole political spectrum to make sure we get the best for the country. Opposition parties are important. The problem we've had is other than the LD who are the same side of centric as Labour we've not had decent opposition on the right. I mean we've had opposition on the right. But they've been so faaaarrrrrr to the right we've not been able to see them. They've just been an annoying sound in the ear. We need someone decent form just right of centre like the old one nation Tory's the same as when Tory's are in government we need someone just left of centre.

It helps keep politics very central and Britain has always worked best from that position.

I think without the RW arm of the party Sunak would have been fine. I don't think he stands as far right as those who were pulling the strings.

Truss and Johnson OTOH ....... 😵‍💫

Ukraine has a lot of talent and arguable nerves made of tungsten steel when it comes to nuclear reactors.

I said this on a previous Starmer thread, in a different context: Reform has to keep all of its activists under wraps because they’re so weird and repellant. They will have to come out and be seen at some point.

Reform cannot just be Farage forever.

And I couldn’t agree more that events will expose their difficulties in dealing with the world as it is, not as it might be wished away after ten pints up the bar at the local.

Zelenskyy is on his way to meet the king

@placemats Lancaster House interesting, I've not heard of it before now but the pictures look very grand.
I do feel proud of the UK yesterday, today and starmer role with Trump and macron etc.

Meanwhile St. Kemi risks disagreeing with Trump. Two days ago this would have seemed petty. Now it's gained an extra dimension

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyjn92gknlo

Hopefully the Chagos deal is good for the UK, and fuck what the US wants.

I’d like to hear from the many republicans on here about how useless the monarchy is now.

Fine, I still think monarchies are obsolete, hth

That looks like the new European NATO.

Out of all our recent Prime Ministers, I'm glad we've got one right now that's sane, stable, sharp, reads his brief and does the work to get fellow PMs onside.

I don't agree with all his policies, but he is doing his job to keep Britain (diplomatically) safe.

Ursula von der Leyen:

"Our message to America: We are ready, together with you, to defend democracy and the principle that there is a rule of law. That you cannot invade or bully your neighbour, or change borders with force."

"Together with you" omitted by some. It's important diplomatic language.

Rutte is saying more European defence spending announcements to follow .

We need to see how this all plays out with Trump and support for Ukraine, atm King or no King its still looking like the US will withdraw support unless Z agrees to their terms.

Is anyone suggesting KC holds the key to this unholy mess?

@derxa - sorry, I didn't mean you'd said Starmer was weak. I was referencing a post by Rummly. (Which has been addressed by them)