Kowtowing to Trump

Any trade deal we have will be to Trump's advantage. Our armed forces will be put in danger to protect Trump's mineral rights. Starmer didn't have much choice as we are in such a weak position but it was still cringeworthy.

I'm not a Fan of Starmer but his team got this right for him. Years of being a Lawyer put to good use, he knew not to, as the Times said this morning "Poke the Bear" pulling an invite out from of the hat, from the King master stroke.

Throughout his legal career, I’m sure Keir Starmer has had to defend criminals in court when he knew there was a strong chance that they were guilty. All part of the training.
Perfect diplomacy.

All those on GN who moan about the monarchy will have to admit, it’s the main ‘trump’ card we hold.

Charles’ handwritten invite was a master stroke.

👑

And yes. He did well with Vance too. Polite but firm.

25Avalon - I did wonder if the invite may have actually been suggested by the king - after all, he takes a keen interest in world affairs and knows how valuable this sort of nonsense can be.

I would guess that Starmer and the king get along pretty well to be honest and whoever suggested it it did work like a charm... I bet Starmer had practiced taking it out of his pocket!

I'm sure Starmer did a fair bit of teeth gritting in order to get results. Good for him.

Trump is so unpredictable; if KS had put a foot wrong and offended him at any point in the proceedings, Trump may well have called a halt to the whole thing - mid press conference / mid lunch, mid whatever. I wouldn’t put it past Trump to do that.

Just imagine being under such intense scrutiny and pressure, with all the nay sayers back in the UK looking on, just willing you to c**k it up!

Jaberwok

Absolutely not. The state visit is our trump card, it is the one thing that will prevent D.T from causing us too much grief, hopefully! The thought of that visit being tarnished by political disagreements will not sit well with D.T, and therefore act as a sort of political brake. To leave the invitation till later, would look exactly what it would have been, a reward. No invitation? a punishment. The King and Queen will be well up for this, after all, it's part of their job to smooth difficult diplomatic paths, exactly as Prince William did in Paris.

🙏👏👏👏👏

Well done to Keir Starmer. He had no choice but to be charming to Trump to get what he wanted for the UK but he stood up to Vance when the freedom of speech topic came up saying the UK has had free speech for a very long time and always will.

I'm sure Mr Starmer will need a detox when he gets back to the UK after having to be nice to Trump.

Agreed, Wyllow3.
Exactly how do the critics think KS should have behaved? Refused to go at all? Refused to shake hands and called him an orange-faced megalomaniac?

fancythat
I watched him say it last night.

Mollygo

Barleyfields

Of course Trump wanted his State visit. He’s a shallow narcissist. We knew an invitation would be forthcoming so there’s no brownie points for Starmer in that. It remains to be seen how Trump will treat the UK after he’s had his ego stroked with pomp and pageantry. He wouldn’t queer his pitch before that. I wouldn’t trust him an inch.

You only have to listen to Trump’s “did I say that?” to know that anything he says is not to be trusted.

I only what and read snippets of things, in compared to some.

When I have heard Trump say that, I had assumed that he meant he hadnt said whatever it was.

And it was the media or journalists who had got things wrong.

I was cringing when I watched and listened to it, especially the handing over of the invitation but needs must, I think. Unfortunately, Starmer is not dealing with an honourable man and Trump could be posting criticism of the PM on his social media platform as we speak. I was more concerned with Trump denying that he has called Zelensky a dictator. Does he not remember what he has written?

Europe will become independent of the US regarding defence,

I think they are so far off that, that it is quite alarming.

And at what time scale?

Barleyfields

Of course Trump wanted his State visit. He’s a shallow narcissist. We knew an invitation would be forthcoming so there’s no brownie points for Starmer in that. It remains to be seen how Trump will treat the UK after he’s had his ego stroked with pomp and pageantry. He wouldn’t queer his pitch before that. I wouldn’t trust him an inch.

You only have to listen to Trump’s “did I say that?” to know that anything he says is not to be trusted.

I think Starmer is doing a good job, he even managed a Macron arm touch with Trump.. All credit to him for remaining pleasant and diplomatic..

Absolutely not. The state visit is our trump card, it is the one thing that will prevent D.T from causing us too much grief, hopefully! The thought of that visit being tarnished by political disagreements will not sit well with D.T, and therefore act as a sort of political brake. To leave the invitation till later, would look exactly what it would have been, a reward. No invitation? a punishment. The King and Queen will be well up for this, after all, it's part of their job to smooth difficult diplomatic paths, exactly as Prince William did in Paris.

Well done that King! Keeping Trump away from showboating opportunities in London is a good plan.

King!

Casdon

According to BBC News
‘Balmoral is only about 58 miles (93km) from the Trump International golf resort in Menie, where he is due to open a new course named after his mother this summer.‘
Not a coincidence I would guess.

No - the Kibg mentioned it in his letter

According to BBC News
‘Balmoral is only about 58 miles (93km) from the Trump International golf resort in Menie, where he is due to open a new course named after his mother this summer.‘
Not a coincidence I would guess.

So looking to the future, and in an ideal world.

Europe will become independent of the US regarding defence, and as a one of the worlds largest economic blocks, Trump will not be able to push Europe around.

Win-win. (We just need to re-join the block)

Why do people assume World Leaders hate Trump? You don't stroke the arm of a man whose words 'stick in your craw'; or collapse in giggles (Macron). I suggest they know things we don't or maybe just good diplomacy.
Balmoral is brilliant choice of venue. Far from the 'maddened crowd' for a start.

I thought the wretched state visit was offered too soon. Wld have been better to hum and hah or not mention it until peace had been secured in Ukraine on reasonable terms. It’s the one thing Trump wants. Our trump card, Ho Ho, and we could have held it back for a bit.

I found it nauseating too, but what choice did he have? I feel pretty sure that, had he been argumentative or asked obviously difficult questions, the UK would have paid the price. And then, of course, all Starmer's detractors would have torn him to pieces.

Trump is a bully but when he has so much power it is very difficult to openly confront him.