In the first few weeks of his Premiership, there were grumblings about the amount of time Sir Keir Starmer spent out of the country but it might just be that the benefit of those early meetings with European leaders, Donald Trump and others is about to be realised.
A new cordiality with European partners and an apparently friendly relationship with Trump, before and since his re-election puts Starmer in a unique position. Often criticised for being dull, overly cautious and lacking both charisma and empathy, it is those very qualities that could help reset the UK’s global relationships. Thousands of words have been written and spoken about how to deal with Trump that could just as easily be found in a parenting manual on how to cope with toddler tantrums. Unfortunately, the stakes for the world are far greater and more serious that mashed food and crayon all over the kitchen.
In his derogatory remarks to the Munich Security Conference, US Vice President Vance managed to unite Europe in a way he probably didn’t expect. What we are seeing are the shoots of a new Europe, focused on defence and security, a recognition that the US veers between outright hostility and couldn’t care less and a sense of urgency. The new German Chancellor was quick to commit to….“strengthen Europe as quickly as possible, so that we achieve independence from the US”. Macron handled his White House visit with aplomb and publicly called out Trump’s false claims about EU aid to Ukraine. While Italy’s PM Giorgia Meloni walks the tightrope between the US and Europe the Italian President was more forthright comparing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to the Nazis. A pro-Russian hacker group attacked Italian government websites on Tuesday in what it said was a reaction to that speech.
So far, Starmer has been courteous but clear in the UK’s support for Ukraine, he has not, as some UK politicians have done, rushed to fawn and pander to the new US administration. Although I doubt that Trump or any of his acolytes could actually spell nuance never mind understand the concept, many observers will have noted that in his comments to the Ukraine conference
pledging the UK’s continued support the Prime Minister said: “… From His Majesty the King… To the NHS workers volunteering in hospitals in Ukraine…”
He wouldn’t have mentioned the King without the approval of the Palace and given that we know how much Trump loves the Royal Family, the carrot of a State visit to the UK might come in handy. On Sunday, Starmer will host a meeting of EU leaders in London to discuss defence coordination. (Memo to White House, note the host and the venue.)
Starmer has described his footballing skills as a “box-to-box midfield general” which is pretty much defined by their home being central midfield but expected to take responsibility by dropping back to help out in defensive situations, intercepting, tackling, and blocking the ball, and as soon they win it, they’re expected to progress the ball forwards and mount attacks.
The Prime Minister has everything to play for.
