Starmer did well yesterday

[oceanflow]

I mean, he was never going to magic a Trump personality transformation in the space of a couple of hours. But he walked the Trump tightrope well. I found the whole thing fascinating - particularly the contrived flattery. The mode of these US diplomatic visits now reflects the way you would visit a senile, elderly relative - any other leader would find it patronising, but it's all totally lost on Trump. The flourish if the state visit invite was hilarious. I was never a fan of Starmer particularly and thought he lacked charisma as a leader. But now I'm glad to have a leader who is about the tasks at hand, not simply his own ego. AIBU?

He did incredibly well yesterday. I agree.

The problem is that because of the naturally Right-leaning press (and Mumsnet) , no matter the good he did or does, he will be pilloried because he's a bit functionary and speaks in a stilted way.

Yup, he did a great job. That sort of flashy sycophancy was completely out of his comfort zone too (given his sober approach to politics, which I personally appreciate). I'm proud of him!

He does speak in a stilted way, but at least he's self-aware. Give me him over Trump ramblings or Johnson blabbery any day.

I agree, he had a near impossible task and did well.

I really hope given the seriousness of the Trump problem people will stop with the ‘my party would have done better’ point scoring mindset.

Starmer just admitted Britain is being taken for a ride—again!

When Trump was talking about Ukraine, he made it clear: America has been giving away billions and getting nothing in return—but that’s about to change with a minerals deal. Then up pipes Keir Starmer to proudly declare that Britain’s billions were a gift!

So, let’s get this straight—while others are looking out for their national interests, securing deals, and making sure their money isn’t wasted, Britain is just handing over taxpayer cash with no expectation of anything in return?

Starmer isn’t negotiating for Britain—he’s grovelling. No wonder our country keeps getting mugged off on the world stage. - Darren Grimes.

He did better than I thought he would or anyone else for that matter. It was a bit like watching a doting aunty (Starmer) humour a spoilt unpleasant toddler (Trump).

It’s mental really that one of the most powerful people in the world has an ego so fragile that all it takes to get to behave nicely and give an island back to the rightful people is flattery and smiling indulgently at everything he says. There’s obviously more to it than that but well played.

I am proud we are donating rather than wanting something back.

Who on earth thinks it’s appropriate to loan in these circumstances! Thats pretty much extortion. This is not a game, a trade deal or a business negotiation! This is for a country at war with someone who keeps threatening to blow us up with nuclear weapons!

Err the thing we are been getting 'in return' for supporting Ukraine is not having Putin march across Europe and reinstate a new Soviet empire!

And Starmer pointed out that not all UK aid was in loan form because Trump incorrectly said (and has said repeatedly) that European aid was all in the form of loans whereas US aid was not. And this is false, as Starmer pointed out.

Exactly. The point is to try to stop Putin from advancing on the rest of Europe. Which he will if he can.

We have barely given any cash to Ukraine. As I understand it, we've been giving them very old military kit that was due for replacement. It would probably cost more to decommission and scrap this stuff. We don't give Ukraine new tech as it might fall into Russian hands and they could reverse engineer it.

Also, the idea that he wasn't negotiating for Britain is nuts. He was lobbying for (1) a US 'security backstop' in Ukraine, (2) UK /US trade deal and (3) support for UK's plan for Chagos. All 3 of which will have a huge benefit to the UK and UK finances if instated, and the last 2 of which Trump indicated he would support (the 1st he seems to have a different idea of what this would entail to the rest of the world but I guess we'll see).

I agree, he did a good job, which I am pleased about.
Trumps's supporting the Chagos plan was an ace card, which makes Farage and co look incredibly stupid now.

I was quite disappointed that Charles has invited the Melon Felon for a State Visit at Windsor. Time to dust off the Trump baby blimp…

I agree that he did very well in difficult circumstances. It's hard to imagine something that would be further outside Starmer's personal comfort zone!

Only time will tell whether the efforts of Starmer, Macron and other European leaders will pay off, but I think Starmer played the hand that had been dealt to him very effectively.

I was impressed with the level of prep that had clearly been undertaken. The mirroring of Trump's speech patterns was particularly striking and very clever.

In the madness that is the rUSsia. (Yep they have now blurred into one). Our government are a beacon of hope.

I agree - I think Starmer did a good job in increasingly difficult circumstances

Top level brown nosing and very uncomfortable to watch. I was contorted into a full body cringe.

It's a shame the US didn't take have this stance after WW2. We only just paid back their loan to us. FFS.

Is there anything British tax payers aren't made to contribute to with no expectation of a return? Whoop. Crack on.

Exactly what I thought - the way he was touching Trumps arm !

Did the trick tho

I think Starmer played a blinder by appearing with Trump… ;) Next to Macron however his inadequacies are cruelly obvious…

But, moving forward on Ukraine is critical. Given we already have a trade deal with the US on many things I’m unclear what new things are proposed, and fear that we will easily be out negotiated by a president who is very clear that USA comes first. As for the Chagos islands, isn’t it a moot point as it’s not at all clear that they are happy with the proposed deal post elections? It would however neatly consume some of the recently announced increase in defence spending…

I would say he did a good job, but I would need to be in the room for that. Who knows what the hell got agreed behind close doors ? I’m not that trusting of a government leader who came straight in and screwed all the pensioners they persuaded to vote for them.

I agree...he did a good job.

I loved the ...this is a very special letter...line. It was like a reception teacher talking to a five year old who had brought something in for show and tell 😂

I watched Macron on Monday and was anxious that Starmer wouldn't stand a chance by comparison. He clearly doesn't have the natural charm and charisma of the French President. However, when it came to it, I was surprised by how well he managed the situation. Yes, his style is very different from that of Macron, but he had clearly done his homework and it seemed to work.

Plus of course, having a shiny invitation from the King in his pocket clearly helped!😂

Yes, Trump is easily impressed by a bit of bling. How the monarchy has fallen ;)