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Starmer rebukes Trump

(155 Posts)
Smileless2012 Wed 04-Mar-26 19:28:27

Britain would not get directly involved in the Middle Eastern conflict without a thought through approach from the US and Israel.

Starmer said British troops are shooting down drones and missiles to protect American lives in the Middle East on our joint bases; that is the special relationship in action. Sharing intelligence every day to keep our people safe; that is the special relationship in action.

Hanging onto President Trump's latest words is not the special relationship in action.

Well done Keir.

Basgetti Wed 04-Mar-26 22:56:50

Not so when Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands. The public saw it very much as a defensive, just war and were fully behind it.
This situation is very different, with the majority viewing it as illegal.
Allowing the US to use British bases after bases on Cyprus were attacked was the right thing to do, a defensive action.

Oreo Wed 04-Mar-26 22:57:58

Well aware isn’t caring for them of course.
I thought we didn’t bring grudges over from another thread?
I always think that tv blaring on in hospital wards is an abomination no matter what’s on, and feel very sorry for ill patients being subjected to to it.

Oreo Wed 04-Mar-26 22:59:18

There was a lot of objections to the war with Argentina, particularly from the left and when one of our subs sank the Belgrano.

Basgetti Wed 04-Mar-26 23:00:21

No but I suppose when it’s a job you can walk away at the end of the day.
It wasn’t a grudge, it was a joke!
Even if one of the poor, sick patients with no visitors asked for it? He’s been discharged now and the tv was silent this afternoon.
No one else was bothered 🤷‍♀️

Oreo Wed 04-Mar-26 23:00:38

Not that public opinion or polls matter if it’s the right thing to do.
Starmer sat on the fence for a while as he always does before agreeing that the US could use our bases.

Basgetti Wed 04-Mar-26 23:01:18

Oreo

There was a lot of objections to the war with Argentina, particularly from the left and when one of our subs sank the Belgrano.

A minority. I remember the day it broke out. Everyone at college was supportive.

Basgetti Wed 04-Mar-26 23:02:34

Oreo

Not that public opinion or polls matter if it’s the right thing to do.
Starmer sat on the fence for a while as he always does before agreeing that the US could use our bases.

Because he adjudged it an illegal attack. He did exactly the right thing. Once UK bases were attacked, whole different story.

Oreo Wed 04-Mar-26 23:04:24

Wyllow3

I can't imagine stopping being political even in a care home with substantial physical needs.

You are who you are and that's patronising to assume people don't want to engage politically imo. I know a 92 year old who needs a lot of care but is as sharp as a knife.

Of course it's significant what the public think! We don't want another Iraq!!!

Sigh!
Come and do my job for a week.

Oreo Wed 04-Mar-26 23:05:35

Basgetti

Oreo

There was a lot of objections to the war with Argentina, particularly from the left and when one of our subs sank the Belgrano.

A minority. I remember the day it broke out. Everyone at college was supportive.

I remember the day it broke out too the 2nd April 1982 and everyone was very worried.

Wyllow3 Thu 05-Mar-26 00:00:18

Oreo

Wyllow3

I can't imagine stopping being political even in a care home with substantial physical needs.

You are who you are and that's patronising to assume people don't want to engage politically imo. I know a 92 year old who needs a lot of care but is as sharp as a knife.

Of course it's significant what the public think! We don't want another Iraq!!!

Sigh!
Come and do my job for a week.

You never met my mum.

nanna8 Thu 05-Mar-26 00:16:30

The majority support Starmer? That’s not what we’re hearing over in NZ and Oz. I think he is absolutely and unequivocally the worst PM you have ever had. Still, Im obviously in a minority.

HarmonyDaughter Thu 05-Mar-26 00:30:38

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

nanna8 Thu 05-Mar-26 01:10:33

Should the above be reported ? Suspicious but maybe it is genuine ?

Maremia Thu 05-Mar-26 07:12:21

I guess you didn't notice how awful was Liz Truss. grin

AGAA4 Thu 05-Mar-26 08:05:08

It shows strength to stand up to Trump. The UK are still not attacking Iran and only working to keep Britain and British citizens abroad safe.
I'm glad we have a PM who hasn't followed Trump into an illegal war.

Visgir1 Thu 05-Mar-26 08:25:12

I have never been a fan of Starmer, but Trump needs to be reminded that Churchill repeatedly asked the USA for help in the 2WW... Only Pearl Harbour brought the USA in.

Casdon Thu 05-Mar-26 08:35:26

nanna8

The majority support Starmer? That’s not what we’re hearing over in NZ and Oz. I think he is absolutely and unequivocally the worst PM you have ever had. Still, Im obviously in a minority.

His efforts to distance the UK from offensive action in Iran is widely supported here. That’s what was meant.

Chocolatelovinggran Thu 05-Mar-26 08:41:12

My understanding is that the people of Britain have indicated, very clearly, that the majority are with Mr Starmer on his decisions in relation to the USA's bombing of Iran.
Are the citizens of New Zealand and Australia aware of different polls, nanna8?

Chocolatelovinggran Thu 05-Mar-26 08:41:52

Crossed posts Casdon!

Smileless2012 Thu 05-Mar-26 08:42:36

His response to Trump was spot on IMO. I'm fed up with the constant references to a special relationship with the US which only seems to apply when Trump tells our government to jump and expects it to respond with 'how high'.

merlotgran Thu 05-Mar-26 08:46:46

Visgir1

I have never been a fan of Starmer, but Trump needs to be reminded that Churchill repeatedly asked the USA for help in the 2WW... Only Pearl Harbour brought the USA in.

Quite!!

Oreo Thu 05-Mar-26 09:18:40

Cyprus and other countries are really angry with the UK weak response to defending them.We have two military bases in Cyprus so need to step up to the plate where defence of the island is concerned.
We have one ship able to go there and it won’t be there for a fortnight!
The one aircraft that was going to pick up British people needing to get back here didn’t take off as the pilot had too many flying hours!
What has this country come to🤬

Fallingstar Thu 05-Mar-26 09:52:27

Tbh Oreo nobody was really given much time to respond to this war, seeing as nobody knew about it, everybody is scrambling to do what they can. If Trump wanted allies to be involved he should have gone the same route the US has done in years gone by inasmuch as having discussions with allies beforehand and seeking the approval of the UN. He can’t just suddenly shout ‘war!’ and expect everyone to jump to attention, that is not how it works. And I imagine the majority of people in this country would not be happy if Starmer made any commitment to a war that is illegal, with no clear aims, that could cost our country dear not only with regard to spending on defence but the lives of UK armed services.

Fallingstar Thu 05-Mar-26 09:58:20

The same UK armed services that Trump said had done nothing in the Iraq and Afghan wars.

AGAA4 Thu 05-Mar-26 10:00:59

The ship you talk about going to Cyprus is being loaded with ammunition and will be there next week not in a fortnight.
The MOD is intercepting drone attacks on Cyprus. There are RAF typhoons already deployed