Kowtowing to Trump

I did notice that there was some 'cosying' from Trump too. He called King Charles a beautiful man and told Starmer that with his wonderful accent he could have been Potus 40 years ago.
Flattery on both sides.

One of the first things in my inbox this morning was a petition to stop the state visit. Much as I despise Trump I didn't sign. King Charles and Sir Keir Starmer are both doing what they have to do in the circumstances. I doubt either of them are entirely happy about it but they are putting our country's interests first and biting their tongues when necessary!

It does indeed. But if it gets us a good trade deal so be it. The King is used to dealing with unpleasant heads of state. He will think of the greater good and grin and bear it, as did the late Queen.

Casdon

People who are criticising Starmer on this thread are out of line with the media perception of the visit. Even Beth Rigby on Sky, who is as anti Starmer as a political commentator can be, has choked on her coffee and acknowledged he did well.
Hey Ho, I expected no less.

I haen seen it all in full but what I did see I thought was a great exercise in diplomacy.

And the invitation from King Charles for a State visit was just a masterstroke, just brilliant!
Playing a trump card.

Starmer showed he wasn't taking any nonsense when Vance tried to say that the Uk had no freedom of speech. He answered at once, quite sharply. He is used to standing up in court and giving as good as he gets - when it is appropriate and useful.

Barleyfields

It does indeed. But if it gets us a good trade deal so be it. The King is used to dealing with unpleasant heads of state. He will think of the greater good and grin and bear it, as did the late Queen.

But when the PM does exactly that you agree with Primrose that he’s brown-nosing and being a creep? How does that work then?

We should remember that what Trump says today, he may well have forgotten tomorrow, regardless of whether it was said on air or not.
Nothing has really been achieved until it happens is how I feel.

Trump is clearly insane, I've realised this for some time. I also have no sympathy for those voters who have come to realise they voted for the wrong person. Live with it.

Well we have just witnessed how Trump and Vance behave if challenged. Zelensky pushed back politely and was treated shamefully. What a disgraceful performance! What a vile bullying pair! Starmer did a great job, he made Trump look like an 8 year old whilst being polite, diplomatic but still addressing the points made by Trump that he needed to.

BBC News - www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c625ex282zzt
Trump tells Zelensky 'make a deal or we're out' in angry White House meeting - follow live - BBC News
I put this on another thread but it is worth repeating. Trump and Vance showing who they are.

Hardly. More like playing him
What great PR from Starmer.
Keep your friends close etc

What great PR from Starmer.

Words fail me.

eazybee

^What great PR from Starmer. ^

Words fail me.

What would you have wanted Starmer to do?

Watching Starmer give Trump a personal invitation from King Charles was nauseating .
I felt extremely sorry for Zelensky .

I think the State visit invitation should be revoked,it has become impossible to carry on with the fantasy that we have a “special relationship” with the US.

I bet Starmer felt pretty nauseous too, but he did what he needed to do. No one else apart from Trump thinks this is really a great honour. the King and Queen will be utterly charming and it will make Trump look like the complete a...h... that he is. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear whatever "honour" you offer him. The Royal family have spent their lives shaking hands with vile people in high places, it's what we pay them for.

Parsley3

BBC News - www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c625ex282zzt
Trump tells Zelensky 'make a deal or we're out' in angry White House meeting - follow live - BBC News
I put this on another thread but it is worth repeating. Trump and Vance showing who they are.

Absolutely disgustingly evil pair..

Its nauseating how decent people have to keep on that insane tyrants good side to save him pressing the red button, mind you Vance is as bad, pity their wives they can’t even leave them.

I think Vance is particularly scary.

Has anyone changed their opinion since seeing the news this evening reporting the meeting at the Whitehouse? IMO the behaviour of Trump and his deputy, both haranguing a President of an other country who's first language isn't English was absolutely appalling.
Poor King Charles having to entertain POTUS.

Trump’s treatment of Zelensky was appalling, but I think it was planned to be just that. Trump & Co wanted to show who was in charge!
Starmer must be admired for showing the stiff British Upper Lip in adversity.
I think the Royal invitation should go ahead, they might show someone who has no manners how to behave.

eazybee

^What great PR from Starmer. ^

Words fail me.

Don't you think that everyone EXCEPT Trump and possibly some of his entourage is perfectly well aware of how brilliantly Starmer was acting? Yes, acting. His legal career in courtrooms and legal discussions taught him a lot about dealing with people face to face. He didn't act cowed by Trump's reputation for bluster, but he didn't try to try to tell Trump that he was doing it all wrong or threaten him with retribution. He treated Trump in the way that he had planned given Trump's personality, a way that would bring the best result for the UK. He behaved like a statesman.

Well, I thought it was excellent.
There I was, doubting Starmer's ability to come up to the mark and he comes up trumps! (Another pun, sorry.) Along with Charles, too, of course.

Gravitas, something Trump doesn’t have.

Parsley3

BBC News - www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c625ex282zzt
Trump tells Zelensky 'make a deal or we're out' in angry White House meeting - follow live - BBC News
I put this on another thread but it is worth repeating. Trump and Vance showing who they are.

Unsurprising. Thanks for the link. Though I did watch it.