Starmer rebukes Trump

REKA this war hasn’t be planned for years, the very reason it has caught everyone on the back foot is because it wasn’t planned at all. For years US presidents have favoured diplomacy with Iran for reasons we can see all too clearly now. Even Trump chose diplomacy up until a few days ago. Netanyahu has been baying for this war for years, that much is true but previous presidents would find a way to rein him in.
And if this is about regime change/helping ordinary Iranians why were those living in one of the most densely populated cities in Iran, and indeed the region, not given warning so that they could leave, as happened last year when there were strikes in Iran. They are now trapped with bombs dropping on them day and night. Seems like a weird kind of liberation to me. More like elimination.

I did not think Starmer looked at all scared.

I think he did the right thing in calling a Press Conference and he answered questions professionally and fully.

He has given approval for our troops to shoot down drones and for our bases to be used, he hasn’t approved our troops joining the USA and Israel in bombing Iran.

I, for one agree, Israel and US as allies bombing the hell out of Iran is madness and Trump has already done more than he says they set our to do, he claims he just wanted to kill the current leader and his cronies, he’s already done that, this is nothing about helping ordinary Iranians, he and his buddy Natunyahu, in my opinion, couldn’t give a stuff about any ordinary citizen’s welfare, including their own countrymen. Their actions in the recent past make this very clear.

Yet another unstable situation which will have far reaching effects and involve other countries and their citizens.

Margaret007

Well come the day we are threatened by a larger foreign power I for one hope Donald Trump and the U.S are on our side.

Trump has frequently said that the US can stand alone, they have had enough of helping when other countries are under attack, in future we are on their own. He seems to think the special relationship only works one way, that he can demand support but not give it. He is on no-one's side but his own.

There's very little calm about Starmer. He looks petrified. The rest of Europe seem to be able to support Cyprus. We couldn't even give permission to allow use of our airbase. We were not asked to join in with fighting. And now he looks like a real plum as his beloved EU are acting on our behalf.

I doubt very much that anyone wants war. But it is what it is. Starmer is now sending planes out there now he's seen the rest of Europe are acting.

This has been planned for years. This is nothing to do with the Epstein files or elections. I find it hard to believe folk believe that.

I think he is absolutely and unequivocally the worst PM you have ever had

So you like to keep telling us Nanna8. No matter how many times you say it … still doesn’t make it true.

imaround

Thank you to Starmer and the people of Great Briton for trying to keep our soldiers, and yours, safe.

They deserve better than to be ruled by this monster. 6 US soldiers have already been killed for this illegal war, and these soldiers can not deny orders.

Soldiers can and should refuse to obey illegal orders. Following orders is no excuse for war crimes.

My son was a Royal Marine on the front line in Afghanistan and Iraq. He returned home safely, sadly lots of his friends didn’t. I think anyone who has been in a similar position to me - a parent with a child fighting a war overseas - would not be in a hurry to see them going off to fight again. Particularly as this war is illegal and so far there hasn’t been a proper explanation as to why it’s happening in the first place. I admire Starmer and voted for him. Just imagine if Badenoch, Johnson or Truss were currently leading the country!

One if the reasons I as a member of the Labour Party voted for Keir Starmer was exactly for times like this.

I can remember looking at Johnson and thinking if the U.K. was going through a time of crises, nothing would be worse than someone like Johnson.

Today Starmer said “my focus is on calm, level headed leadership”

That is exactly why I voted for him.

The Trump administration is - weak in diplomacy, war mongering, expansionist, inconsistent, does not abide by the rule of law, changes its messaging ( I agree WWM2) and has appalling values. Trump's administration officers must act as his lap dogs or experience his wrath/expulsion/derision.

Trump as a leader compared to KS is- lacking in gravitas, weak, can also be dithering, perhaps more so, incoherent, chaotic, pugnacious, disrespects the rule of law, does not command respect on the world stage (by those that matter in the West) and changes his mind (TACO - Trump always chickens out) with the wind. Trump is vengeful and seeks retribution when people do not do his bidding, to his liking and cares little about his citizen's healthcare, educational, social welfare and birth control needs etc. He is MUCH worse than KS. He has dismantled the reputation of US political leadership and diplomacy on the world stage.

Rebukes can go in both directions and many more legitimately and justifiably directed towards Trump than towards KS.

You’re probably right GrannyGravy13, I find it frustrating, because it seems a waste of time to me criticising something if you haven’t thought the issue through and clarified in your mind what you would want instead. We’re all different though.

There is no better solution than a diplomatic one.

In fact if what we read is correct, we were nearly there, but Trump was persuaded by Netanyahu to abandon the diplomacy and attack.

Totally unclear why. Trump or his cabinet has given a different reason every day since Saturday.

Casdon and Whitewavemark2 I think in day to day life a lot of people know what they do not want, but no real idea of what they do want.

This is then transferred to political parties and political situations in general.

I think with regard to the current conflict in the ME, our government and in particular the PM are going to be damned if they do and damned if they don’t

The critics shouting the loudest will get the most media coverage, whilst hopefully in the background a diplomat solution is being negotiated.

🤞👏👍

Whitewavemark2

I actually think that there is a lot of enthusiasm for warmongers on these threads. Provided of course that they don’t have to take part , but can sit on the sidelines snipping.

There is very little enthusiasm for diplomacy.

You may be right Whitewavemark2. Whatever people think though I’d prefer if they just gave their views instead of constantly bemoaning what they don’t like, but offering no alternatives.

Casdon: "What frustrates me about people who post criticising everything the government is doing, is that they never post what they think should be done instead. It’s very easy to throw stones, but let’s hear your ideas for what exactly you think should be done, and what you think the potential consequences of that could be?"

I concur- if only Freya could be clearer on what she is expecting and wanting from KS, in context- instead of criticising.

Freya 13.22- Your post is not entirely clear. You disagree with Bagetti that the PM has got his response spot on so far- but have not said what you would like him to do alternatively.

US and Israel decided to strike Iran- their war. You seemingly have no criticism whatsoever of Trump or Netanyahu - have I understood your position correctly? You reserve all your criticism to Starmer/UK.

Contect- This is a US and Israel provoked war. Seemingly I/US risk did/does not:
1) assess potential Iran responses and impact and risk to various countries and their citizebs- or at the very least have not shared with Allies collaboratively.
2) form any plan- or at the very least have not shared with Allies collaboratively.
3) have any clearly defined goals, strategy or associated expected timescales- or at the very least have not shared with Allies collaboratively.
4) speak to any allies before their strike
5) have a legal basis for their strike on Iran.

The whole world in this context has been reacting and considering national and international interests and how to respond to this sudden, unwanted I/US war.

KS has allowed US to use UK air bases for US defensive strikes on Iran.

Freya5: 13.22 "Did the human rights brigade, including Starmer, and those on here, send out that it was illegal for Iran to operate as a terrorist regime"

What on earth are you saying/asking? You seem to infer there is something wrong with 'human rights- is that your position'? If so what is wrong with human rights? Is it your view that the Iranian population should or should not not have any human rights?

send out that it was illegal for Iran to operate as a terrorist regime,

Should UK automatically join the war. Should UK join a war before a legal basis is established. Do UK citizens believe in the rule of law?

Freya5 the RAF are intercepting drones from Iran over Cyprus. Is that sitting back. The UK is defending all its bases.

I actually think that there is a lot of enthusiasm for warmongers on these threads. Provided of course that they don’t have to take part , but can sit on the sidelines snipping.

There is very little enthusiasm for diplomacy.

What frustrates me about people who post criticising everything the government is doing, is that they never post what they think should be done instead. It’s very easy to throw stones, but let’s hear your ideas for what exactly you think should be done, and what you think the potential consequences of that could be?

freya you are teaching your grandmother etc. - what you have complained about not happening is exactly what is actually happening - all of it.

The only thing the U.K. is NOT doing is pre-emptive strikes which are illegal.

Basgetti

Oreo

Starmer is a complete embarrassment.Now he’s visiting mosques to say the UK isn’t helping the US …. Well, it kind of is actually.
Some mosques and university students are lauding the late ayatollah to the skies ( even though in January he sanctioned the murder of over 36,000 Iranians) he was a monster and they want candle lit vigils for him and no doubt will be marching through London having a protest any day now.

Oh mate, give it a rest. The PM has got this spot on.

Really. They've already tried to attack British base, will he sit back until the base is attacked again,of course he will. Will he defend it, no thatll be down to the Americans, and if they cant be bothered, what then.As they have attacked, we have a right to defend.
Did the human rights brigade , including Starmer, and those on here, send out that it was illegal for Iran to operate as a terrorist regime, and when they killed 36,000 of their own people. No of course they didn't. This is because it's Jews, no news if it isn't, and Trump.
As for the m- sending the ayatollah off to his virgins, shame on them.

Well at least Conservative Kemi Badenoch will never be PM- as she surely would be a contender for one of the worst ever if so. Her performance at PMQ was appalling- one of the worst performances by the leader of the opposition, in a time of national crisis, I can recall. Judging by the laughter she attracted in the House many others thought so too.

KB 1st Q- why won't KS allow UK bases to be used for offensive action to support US? KS - "the whole country is worried about escalation.....the UK will not join a war unless I am satisfied there is a legal basis and well thought through plan". KB replies "no one wants to seek escalation- but we are in this war whether we like it or not" really 🤷‍♀️. KB stated Labour not spending enough on Defence budget (uproar of laughing around the House) -KB looked surprised- "I don't know why people are laughing" 🤷‍♀️ - probably because her party, in which she was a minister, hollowed out defence spending over 13 years and L has provided the largest increase in D budget since coming to office July 2024 since the Cold War? The facts pass her by....

Several times KB said she had no interest in speaking about "getting UK nationals home safely" as she wanted to "focus on Defence spending" 🤷‍♀️. KB ended by wanting to speak about last week's Gorton and Denton by election (uproar of laughing again) - she had no idea why again - probably because her party only secured 1% of the vote and lost their deposit.

KB has also has lost multiple MPs to Reform UK. However I feel confident Reform UK would do better than KS- does not have the gravitas or competence. Nick Candy, Reform treasurer, currently in Dubai- states on record he "feels safer (with missiles flying over his head) than he does in London. Perhaps Reform Uk would like to see KS evacuating London residents to a place of safety? 😂 🥱

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.

The worst PM we've ever had? I'm not even a particular fan of his, but you're got to be joking there!

Oreo

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🤬

A country that abides by international law.
You’d be happy with an overtired pilot flying a repatriation flight?
Which are these other countries that are angry with Britain for not defending them?

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