Im no fan of Starmer but …

[BettyWhittaker]

I am very anti - Labour government, have never voted Labour in my life and never would and I hope an early GE is called …

BUT - AIBU to think he really couldn’t have handled Trump any better than he had? Christ the man is completely unhinged, his behaviour is getting worse and worse - AIBU to think Starmer really couldn’t have done more to handle this?

I thought his statement yesterday was pretty good. Let’s just hope the mad man gets taken out of office before he kicks off another bloody war

@EasternStandard - The main criticisms of Starmer and Labour come from the right wing, billionaire owned media - plus bits and trolls on social media. However, on this thread today, a large majority of replies think that he’s doing a good job.

What’s your point? Clearly I approve of him generally, which is what you’re focussing on, rather than the numerous people on this thread who openly say that they aren’t Labour voters but approve of Starmer’s handling of Trump on this matter. Personally I’ve never seen Starmer so popular with non-Labour voters on Mumsnet.

Not sure about that. 75% disapprove currently. That’s a large chunk of the electorate who are not wealthy even.

I broadly agree, OP.

Domestically, Labour have inherited some huge challenges but, while I think unpopular decisions were inevitable, they seem to lack a clear vision or, if they do have one - "Growth" - they are not consistently taking the actions to deliver it, and have sometimes undermined it.

On international affairs and defence, I was unhappy that the foreign aide budget was used to fund the (necessary) increased defence spending, but otherwise I think Starmer has so far handled extreme challenges about as well as anyone could expect (even if I bet he sometimes feels an immediate need to take a long shower).

Personally I’ve never seen Starmer so popular with non-Labour voters on Mumsnet

Nor me. It is refreshing how some posters can put aside their personal dislike. I respect them for that.

Only just starting? I think it’s been obvious for quite a long time that the man is as mad as a balloon.

Not currently. Last time they were asked which is before Trump comprehensively lost the plot.

*bots not bits!

I didn’t. I’m a florist. 😉

I'm labour through and through. I totally agree with you. Yes there is much Starmer could have done better.

I dont agree with all they have done. However he/they took over 14 years of rot from a government who drove this country into the ground especially with Brexshit.

People who expect Labour to have turned all this around in 18 months need to give there heads a wobble.

Labour have done alot of good since they came in however it's drowned out by the right wing media and populists

Back to the post I agree with you. I don't agree with everything of this government. I want Brexshit undone.

It's alright people shouting about what they would do however I wonder what they would do in government. You can just go round shouting the odds and complaining.

Im just glad its not Boris thats still in charge. We'd be fucked.

As far as I know, the Tories entered into negotiations over Chagos sovereignty but never agreed terms. I’ve never seen anything to suggest they were willing to pay, or if they were that it would be dozens of billions of pounds.

Starmer’s embarrassment is obvious from way he tried to mislead the country about the cost of HIS deal.

I always thought the Tories were wrong to kowtow to the ICJ. It’s a joke court. The opinion it gave wasn’t binding and even if it had been we should have ignored it.

For a different pp who quoted Rubio from March 2025, here’s Trump in January 2026:

“Shockingly, our 'brilliant' NATO Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia, the site of a vital U.S. Military Base, to Mauritius, and to do so FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER.…
There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness ... The UK giving away extremely important land is an act of GREAT STUPIDITY, and is another in a very long line of National Security reasons why Greenland has to be acquired."

How can this be? Surely Starmer’s woven his magic on Trump.

Trump was full of praise for the Chagos deal nine months ago.

Do you think that Starmer should agree with Trump?

What do you think about Trump and his administrations approval of Chagos, said so in glowing terms.... just 7 months ago....

Then the sudden turn around... do you perhaps think that Trump has other motives for this, other than the deal?

Its directly tied to Starmers speech yesterday morning.

Trump is trolling world leaders...... Badenoch and others are supporting him over this.
Doubtless they would have said "Well, that Hitler, he has built some cracking roads, not always wrong..."

No. But posters on this thread are saying he’s basically the Trump Whisperer and what a super-duper diplomat and persuader he is. Apparently not.

Err No one has said that, least of all Starmer.... .. but Badenoch has though, she said that had she'd been PM, none of the this would have happened....

@DenizenOfAisleOfShame I don't think anyone has claimed Starmer has woven his magic on Trump.

Your example shows how Trump is mercurial. Changes his mind in 5 minutes, let alone in a year. He gets fixated on things, then gets distracted, then drops them. (Iran for example).

Starmer is doing the best anyone can under the circumstances. Trump has said tonight that he gets on very well with Starmer. Starmer must secretly wanted punch the man.

Why apparently not?

Trump threw a tantrum because Starmer told him no on Greenland,
he did the same with Macron and other leaders.

Do you agree with Trump?

No. I think Trump’s a ridiculous and perilous fool. But that doesn’t stop Starmer being thoroughly useless.

In what way is he is thoroughly useless with Trump in the current situation?

What do you think Starmer should do iro Trump? Handling Trump must be like handling a bomb that could either explode in your face any second or turn out to be a dud.

I realise that you wouldn’t say that. But a pp was trying to suggest that Starmer is an intellectual and diplomatic giant. Which I think is laughable.

My point - already said - is that anyone sensible could do the same with Trump as Starmer’s managed, provided they could bite their lip.

So you think Starmer is doing a good job, but one that any one could do in the circumstances, if they bit their lip?

People like you have never had to deal in international relations, let alone cope with someone like Trump.

But quick to throw the insults and belittle someone like Starmer who is prepared to stand up and be counted.