The Brits are SO smart.

[MsAmerica]

Playing Trump like a fiddle, knowing his weakness for flattery and star power. Starmer begins by presenting a letter of invitation from Charles III.

Donald Trump given letter from King Charles on Ukraine war with special 'unprecedented' invite
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/donald-trump-given-letter-from-king-charles-on-ukraine-war-with-special-unprecedented-invite/ar-AA1zVHbC

UK Prime Minister Starmer Presents Trump With An Invitation From King Charles For A State Visit: "This Is Really Special"
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2025/02/27/uk_prime_minister_starmer_presents_trump_with_an_invitation_from_king_charles_for_a_state_visit_this_is_really_special.html

I don’t really care what Scotland thinks. Scotland piggy backs off England, so rather than acting like a child who insists they don’t like the meal while eating it, they should either muck in for the national interests or stop accepting our cash

I happen to agree with you, @Wildflowers99, but you'll get incoming on that!!

I’d missed news of Dodds’s resignation.

This is exactly the sort of discontent within Labour that I had in mind when I mentioned Labour MPs’ reactions to Starmer cosying up to Trump. I doubt Dodds’s auto-defenestration will matter very much for now. But it’s an interesting signal.

Starmer may end up doing something good for the country at grave cost to him and his party’s unity. That’s not a bad or unprincipled thing.

I feel like Scotland’s main concern is its cool, lefty reputation, which it can afford to prioritise only because England does the necessary bad-optics type stuff.

But they voted to remain in the UK and now must act like a member of the UK. England has done enough heavy lifting, now they can step up.

The letter itself is very good. It spells out the major risks of slashing aid.

To us, our reputation and to others

I understood why they did it but it just feels so cheap and demeaning. Thank goodness QEII isn’t around to have to deal with him visiting again.

Agreed
And I am dreading the meeting with Z today, i really hope they get something out of it

"recipients"
There isn't a big bag of money that America hands to other Nato members. There also isn't a big house share in which France etc doss about and won't pay their share of the leccy bills.
Yes, America spends much more on defence. A lot of that is not about NATO though - America wants to send aircraft carriers to sit meaningfully in the waters near the middle east while Israel bombs Gaza in a "just you try anything" manner. America wanted to be the ones in charge of world shipping - that's why they were the ones taking on the Houthis. America spent money on wars in Vietnam, South America, Iraq. All of that is American defence spending. And America's choice.

As far as Nato goes. Yes other countries benefit from the "mutual defense pact" that America is a major part of by virtue of its size and military spending. But the only time Article 5 was ever triggered was when America was attacked. And lots of NATO soldiers dies, and lots of NATO countries spent lots of money. So it is not one sided. America also benefits from having bases, nuclear weapons in other countries. Without meaningful security guarantees that puts those countries at more risk, not less (A country bombing America would also bomb American bases in Italy whether Italy had done anything or not).

Yep, like I said, I imagine that it was painful for Starmer to go through that charade, and he probably needed a long shower to cleanse himself of the ick afterwards.
But it was the only option open to him, and he passed the test.

I'm not a fan of starmer, I think he's a wet lettuce BUT I do think he did well yesterday. Yes he licked his arse but he's got too really at this point.

Fgs please don't 😤

Yes it was the adult placating the toddler about to have a tantrum on the floor. And the repetitive use of enthusiastic words to reinforce the lesson - “You have a very special treat here but you must behave. No more tantrums please. Let’s see you trying a bit harder to be a grown up boy.”

No one expects the country to cheer for him but just stay at home, no need for protest. We need to play all this carefully

Wow - if you really think Scotland piggy backs off England you have a really short memory. Its resources have been plundered for centuries to your benefit. This comment alone provides ample context as to why you would be a Trump apologist.

As to the referendum, it was older voters that swung the vote towards remaining in the union. It may take a decade or two, but Scottish independence will be on the cards again and I suspect it will be a different outcome.

As to demonstrating, it's incredibly important to advocate for those that don't have a voice. It's what makes us human.

Oh please. Labelling me a Trump apologist (me, a Lib Dem voting Europhile) because I point out some uncomfortable truths is a joke.

Scotland has partaken in virtually all aspects of unpalatable British history, and profited nicely from the Union and continues to do so.

They are just very good at distancing themselves when it’s brought up.

@Wildflowers99 has a point about the careful public handling of any Trump visit. We need to pull together on this one for the greater good TBH. There's a political game afoot

Don't forget Trump has Scottish ancestry................

*MrsBennetsPoorNerves

This is a joint effort between Starmer and Macron. They are absolutely working in tandem.

This - they completely understand the situation*

I really hope that Europe, Canada etc ARE onside and working with us on this and not pissed off at perceived UK one-upmanship

Ok then thank you for full disclosure on its “effectiveness”. Promotes kidnap, and other bad behavior and threats for money. Whilst sending terrorists to our shores and promoting terror online etc. And the crooked NGOs.

Makes total goodwill sense. Thank for explaining the meaning of “goodwill”

Not just Trump, but many Americans- as PP said their British heritage is v important to a lot of them, so it would be bad optics for a President to be unnecessarily harsh on the UK. Hence the ‘EU is an atrocity but we can work something out with the UK..’ and the unwavering support for the Royals.

@Wildflowers99

Not just Trump, but many Americans- as PP said their British heritage is v important to a lot of them, so it would be bad optics for a President to be unnecessarily harsh on the UK. Hence the ‘EU is an atrocity but we can work something out with the UK..’ and the unwavering support for the Royals.

Yes agree totally

I think it's more that our trade with the US is open for negotiations and the EU's is not. Trump will never get any concessions from the EU on cars (safety) and farming (agrifoods) where EU regulation makes it impossible for the US to compete owing to the massive difference in standards which drives consumer taste. Add in some regulation on tech companies and he wants blood.

Part of my job is to settle American into The Uk and they are all stunned by the fact that I am pretty "meh" about The Royal Family. They think we are mostly all big fans apart from a few weirdos who hate them.
They all do like to tell me that they have an English Grandparent or similar and are a bit shocked when I am not more impressed with that as well.

You sound very warm and accommodating.

Part of the EU’s problem is non-tariff trade barriers. It’s the old ‘shed in Poitiers’ issue: the rumour was that the French used to have an old guy sitting in a warehouse surrounded by imported TVs and VCRs checking each one for electrical safety.

It’s more sophisticated now, particularly with big tech barriers and burdens, but the Americans and others can see straight through it. The EU loves to be slyly protectionist and nobody’s really challenged them on it. That seems to be changing.

I don’t imagine they’ll happen at all. Rural Scotland will be easier to police than central London. Lots of strategic road closures along his route to Balmoral would do it. Why anyone would want to do something so counterproductive is beyond me.