PThey are not from the same pod. No one would think that Keir Starmer and Donald Trump are separated twins. In temperament, worldview, and the values of the party they lead, these two men are the perfect match for the former prosecutor who will lead Britain's first Labor government in 14 years and the convicted convict who the American people brought back to the White House for re-election. There's no way he's any more similar than the felon he suffered. Four. When Trump supporters treat the Labor leader with civility, they call him a “liberal.” When they feel malicious, they label him “far left.” The enmity was mutual. There is a vast catalog of nasty comments about the President-elect by members of Starmer's cabinet.
That's why, according to Number 10, Sir Keir felt compelled to trowel the Americans when he “called them to extend their contracts.''Heartiest congratulations” Even if that made many Labor members nauseous over breakfast, the Prime Minister continued: “We stand shoulder to shoulder defending our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise.” '', they vomited even more violently. One of the ambassadors to Washington also used a well-worn diplomatic cliché that he had banned his staff from using because it promoted delusional thinking about the extent of Britain's influence in the United States. The prime minister said that although he could not be truly sure of such a thing, “we know that our special relationship will continue to thrive on both sides of the Atlantic for many years to come.” During President Trump's first term, the foundations of transatlantic relations frequently shook. British defense and foreign policy establishments are understandably gripped by deep fears that the world will become an even more dangerous place during the sequel.
Sir Keir's exudate contains big effort David Ramey is trying to convince everyone that he and his team have worked hard to build relationships with members of the Trump court, including Vice President-elect J.D. Vance is among them, and he boasts that he has become friendly with them. Foreign Minister wins gold medal in diplomatic gymnastics. Six years ago, when he was a backbencher, he called the then and now future president of the United States a “misogynist, neo-Nazi-sympathetic sociopath” and a “serious threat to the international order.” Lamy has never recanted these views, but now feel obligated The UK government insisted it “agrees with and works with the Trump administration on many points”. Operation Grace has been controversial within Sir Keir's party, with some already questioning its wisdom. The majority of Labor shares the shock and anguish of their Democratic cousins, and sympathizes with the old Mr. Lamy who criticized Trump more than the current Mr. Lamy who condemns him. Some Labor MPs are murmuring that Sir Keir is deluding himself if he really thinks he can get people's ears. The fear is that this will be a fruitless pursuit, only to be met with embarrassing rejection. Theresa May's despicable attempts to win over Americans were rewarded with insults and humiliation, but she was a Conservative prime minister. A better response to his return to the Oval Office, some say, would be to start from the assumption that the United States would be a deeply unreliable ally and place more urgency on mending relations with its European neighbors. The Labor Party voice insists. Other Labor figures think the way to react to the US election result is to abandon the excuse that there is still much in common between Britain and the US. Sadiq Khan, who is also close to Mr Trump, said Londoners:it's gonna be scary”.
This resurgence is painfully energizing for the world's hard right. Britain's Nigel Farage and other mini-Trump types are cheering, but out of touch with public opinion. Number of British voters happy about King Maga's return Outnumbered The ratio of unhappy people is almost 3 to 1. Conservatives who think emulating Trumpism is the way forward should note that the majority of their supporters are among those upset by his return.
The Prime Minister issued a frank rebuttal to those who were critical or concerned about his proposed partnership. “We have to deal with America as it is, not as we want it to be.” Lord Keir's aides admit they are bracing for a wild ride, but insist they must try to strike a deal with the Trump administration, even if it is nightmarishly difficult. Their problem is that this looks like a seismic shift in America's place in the world, and it is hard to see how it can fit comfortably into the traditional template of British-American relations. This means that no matter who is in the White House, and regardless of whether they agree with them personally or identify with them ideologically, the British Prime Minister must 'hug' them. One way to think about the next four years from a British perspective is to use Anglo-American relations as the ultimate stress test of whether it remains worthwhile to think of them that way.
One danger for Sir Keir is that he will be found guilty of wishful thinking when he hints that he could play a role of positive influence after the 45th president becomes the 47th president. That's true. There are many reasons to think Trump Redux will be more difficult to restrict than previous versions. His campaign activities suggest that his impulses are not slowing down, but rather becoming sharper. He interprets his victory as an “unprecedented and powerful mandate” to pursue an agenda fraught with appalling risks to the global economy, Western democracies and the fabric of the international order. He won not only the electoral vote but also the popular vote. Republicans will control the Senate. If they also win a majority in the House of Representatives, which seems very likely, they will win outright. As President Trump pursues a xenophobic, protectionist, and unilateralist policy of “America First” with even more belligerence and insensitivity toward the views and interests of our historic allies. This would be a realistic national strategy.
When he took office in 2017, he took office without a clear plan. He had little knowledge of how government worked, but skilled officials within the government managed to suppress some of his darkest instincts. This time, he said he knew what to do with his mission and intended to fill the government with true believers who would be loyal only to his orders. Despite all attempts to suggest that Downing Street had predicted and prepared for this outcome, ministers have privately said that they are sick to their stomachs about the risks to Britain's security and prosperity. Of the reasons for fear I outlined two weeks ago, three cause the most significant concern.
One is the grave danger to European security posed by his repeated suggestions to dismantle NATO and sell Ukraine. Another big fear is that the president will deal severe damage to multilateral institutions and agreements, including those dealing with the climate crisis. His desire to impose steep tariffs on imports into the United States sends even more shivers down my spine. What is a “beautiful” idea for him? ugly results For us. A global trade war will be hell for the Starmer government, especially if it is forced to choose between the EU and the US. Brexit Britain has never looked so alone as it sails through the mid-Atlantic as Cyclone Orange looms on the horizon.
From tariffs to defense spending, the cream of the crop that the British government can muster is deciding which elements of President Trump's platform should be treated as extremely serious, and which are the first negotiating positions of a hyper-transactional man. I'm trying to guess which element was just “”. Campaign Talk”. Sober people console themselves with the belief that policy attacks are less brutal than rhetorical barking. Pessimists fear he intends to follow through on his threats. Ministers privately acknowledge that there will be a significant impact on almost every important aspect of government policy, but no one is yet sure exactly how deep the impact will be.
Hoping for the best is not a strategy. It is wise to prepare for the worst. If Donald Trump only does half of what he promises, Sir Keir will feel this is a very dangerous dance. Trying to get along with Americans is like trying to tango with a smoking rhinoceros. The Prime Minister will be lucky if he can survive this experience without getting stung.