Starmer Off to Egypt.........

There are apparently about 20 world leaders at the meeting. Singly most of them will not be key players, but they can all comment from their various perspectives and make suggestions, and if it comes to a vote they will each contribute weight to decisions. Whatever Ronib and others may think of Starmer, his legal knowledge should be useful in framing the documents, and internationally his opinions are generally considered to be rational and well-thought out, so I'd predict he will contribute more than Ronib expects.

Also it is unthinkable that the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom should be absent from this international meeting on such an important issue.

Me too

ronib

I don’t think it matters either way in terms of the end result or game for Israel and Palestine. The summit may or may not decide the future of Gaza but without Hamas and Netanyahu in agreement, what impact will the summit have? Or do we imagine Trump will bluff his way through? Starmer’s not a key player in this.

I’m surprised you don’t appreciate the purpose and importance of diplomacy and support from key nations at summits ronib, it’s time for me to bow out now.

We will know soon enough….

That’s your view ronib. My view is our country’s historical and current links to the area means our PM should be there.
It isnt about measuring which ‘key players’ rule, its about diplomacy and the long term

...not sure Netanyahu is going.

I don’t think it matters either way in terms of the end result or game for Israel and Palestine. The summit may or may not decide the future of Gaza but without Hamas and Netanyahu in agreement, what impact will the summit have? Or do we imagine Trump will bluff his way through? Starmer’s not a key player in this.

So a very specific question ronib*. Do you think the UK PM should be absent from a summit to decide the future of Gaza?Can you put aside your personal antipathy, and consider the question in the abstract?

Not really - I am happy he’s out of this country…*Casdon*. Can’t imagine he will be listened to in a room with Trump and Netanyahu? We shall see.

I’m pleased to see that you accept that the place of the UK PM is at a summit this important ronib

Well it’s probably better for Starmer to be abroad ….

If you read the original thread ronib that is the premise.

Since when has anyone had that kind of authority over a prime minister? Casdon. I doubt that Starmer will have much of an impact in Egypt but of course, he has already decided on the two states solution. I wonder what impact that will have?

Whoops sorry that’s for the Strictly thread!

We’re in uncharted territory with no Stefan now either, because assuming Ross is one of the bottom two, who will be the other?

There always somebody who misses the point of a thread entirely. Should the PM of the UK be at a summit for the Gaza Peace Plan whether you rate him or not, or should your personal view influence his attendance to the point where he doesn’t attend?

'A leader we can be proud of on the world stage'.
Really?
What I have seen so far is not impressive. The present PM is desperate to be seen in the company of world leaders, but has woefully little experience or knowledge to contribute. There does not seem to be anyone in the Labour party with appropriate knowledge and experience to draw on, other than Tony Blair whose integrity was tarnished by his involvement in the Iraq war. Britain needs representation which commands respect,but Starmer is not that person; he needs more experienced heads to negotiate. And he seriously needs to face up to the problems in the UK instead of refusing to answer questions and avoiding pressing issues with high level displacement therapy.

Well said spabbygirl. He inherited such a mess with all public services, was criticised for stressing we all face tough times in consequence.
The dangers on the international front continue to be huge. He’s representing our country so well there and it’s slow of course, but we have some progress eg nhs waiting times down

And good luck with the process. So much at stake.

PaynesGrey

Exactly. Trump will lead the Sharm El Sheikh Peace Summit alongside Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi with leaders from more than 20 countries in attendance.

Ministers from Germany, France, Italy, Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Spain, Japan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Hungary, India, El Salvador, Cyprus, Greece, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Canada will be there.

Why do you think the UK should not be represented?

Westminster only reconvenes this week after conference season.

well said PaynesGrey, I'm pleased to see we have a leader at last who we can be proud of when on the world stage.

I don't know how he does it, sometimes with the very littlest time for sleep he represents us at all manner of things.

well done sir Keir

nanna8

Of course Starmer needs to be there. Much though he isn’t my favourite politician I do think he is good on the international stage and seems to be more respected there. A future job for him when he stops being PM ?

A seriously interesting observation, nanna8.
A relative of mine was party leader and one time Foreign Secretary.
He says the latter job was almost as taxing and more difficult than the former.

That’s my next job escaped sans G & T

When in the U.K. its avec sherry on a Sunday, in memory of my darling Mum 💔🥃

Apologies, joke! On the g & t.

and want a much bigger inter gratin with the Middle Eastern states

That's so weird l, I've just this monent, made a cauliflower gratin to go with the roast. .... in it goes!

I think it's right for Starmer to attend along with all other leaders.

There is a good article in the observer written by a former speaker of the Knesset - Avraham Burg - who argues that the majority of Israelis reject Netanyahus warmongering and want a much bigger inter gratin with the Middle Eastern states. They no longer wish to remain isolated as they have done in the past.

That is exactly what I am hearing from friends.

I hope very much that this can be achieved as Netanyahu’s endless conflict, and who constantly seeks out enemies can never prosper.