Starmer’s latest Press conference 10:30am today

Sorry to respond not having heard the speech. You’re describing the PM I expected Starmer to be

Need to find this. Would it be on a catch up?

Maremia

Need to find this. Would it be on a catch up?

It’s just finished and was on the BBC news channel (that’s what’s it’s called on Virgin Media, but I’m sure you’ll find this channel on Sky and Freeview)

He gave plenty of time for many questions and now it’s being analysed.

BBC News website has set out what Starmer said in his 10.30 speech in the live section...plus there already is a Youtube video

He continues with his message that he will not commit the lives of UK service men till there is a well thought out plan etc- fair and sensible. Pleased to see Starmer is meeting with Carney and Zelinski- and that he said Putin must not be allowed to continue to benefit from this excursion. He said and there will need to be a plan to keep the shipping channel open 'after the conflict' and that he is working on a proposal plan with another ally...

'deference' or 'defence' ?

Iam64

Sorry to respond not having heard the speech. You’re describing the PM I expected Starmer to be

Me too, but this hasn’t always happened and I just think his stance and communication now is bang on, I just wish it hadn’t taken a war to bring this Starmer out. I’m impressed.

Cossy

Maremia

Need to find this. Would it be on a catch up?

It’s just finished and was on the BBC news channel (that’s what’s it’s called on Virgin Media, but I’m sure you’ll find this channel on Sky and Freeview)

He gave plenty of time for many questions and now it’s being analysed.

BBC News is 231 on Freeview, it will probably be repeated throughout the day.

Thought the stupid questions about Mandelson were totally misplaced and inappropriately timed.

Will catch up with the speech later. But agree generally that so far Starmer has displayed the kind of statesmanship that is sadly missing across the pond.

Silvergirl

Thought the stupid questions about Mandelson were totally misplaced and inappropriately timed.

That’s reporters for you and Starmer answered them.

Starmer may be 'boring' but this is just what we need just now.
Protecting British assets. Yes.
Not a NATO project. Yes.

Not drawn into a wider war. Yes.

I'm glad he stood up to Trump. I expect we'll all have tariffs on us now from that odious man.

I'm glad Starmer isn't allowing Trump to bully him into joining in with this unplanned illegal war.

It hasn't been reported yet, that any country has responded to Trump's bullying.

MaizieD

'deference' or 'defence' ?

Defence, and Iran not Iraq.

AGAA4

I'm glad Starmer isn't allowing Trump to bully him into joining in with this unplanned illegal war.

He can’t….we don’t have any warships to send.

Trump is happy and willing to align himself with the like’s of Netanyahu and Putin, he deserves all he gets, is not a well man and is incapable of running a bath, let alone an entire huge and powerful country.

He’s utterly irrelevant in respect to whether we think our own leader a taking the right stance on this (illegal) war, by attempting to address the cost of energy/oil and by making it clear the UK will continue to support Ukraine.

In the last few weeks my respect for Starmer, his approach, his calming demeanour and his speeches has grown and I think he’s both a good leader and a Statesman. Showing his true colours at long last in a very positive way.

Oreo Not as many as we would like maybe but ….

“As of March 2026, the Royal Navy operates a total surface fleet of roughly 57-63 commissioned vessels, but the number of major, active combat warships (destroyers and frigates) is significantly lower, with reports indicating only about 13-14 in service, often with many in maintenance.
UK Parliament
UK Parliament
+2
Surface Combatant Breakdown (2026):
Destroyers: 6 Type 45 Guided-Missile Destroyers (often only 2 are considered fully operational/deployable at any one time due to maintenance).
Frigates: 7-8 Type 23 Frigates.
Aircraft Carriers: 2 Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia
+4
Operational Reality & Challenges:
Availability: Reports as of March 2026 suggest that out of the major surface combatants, only about 8 to 13 are immediately available or active, with the rest in long-term maintenance or refit.
Fleet Size: The number of destroyers and frigates has hit a historic low (14), the smallest since the 19th century.
Submarines: In addition, the Royal Navy operates 10 nuclear-powered submarines (4 ballistic missile submarines, 6 fleet attack submarines).
Future Fleet: New Type 26 and Type 31 frigates are currently under construction or in development to replace the aging Type 23s.”

But not even one to send right now.

It’s scary how our Navy has become.
HMS Dragon could be diverted I suppose and not go to Cyprus after all 🤔

Are you suggesting Starmer is to blame Oreo? He’s been consistent in saying our military needs to be strengthened.

I saw a funny story last night. Trump made a lot of noise a few weeks ago about sending a military hospital ship from USA to help those poor Greenlanders(!). It transpired that he can’t - the US own two military hospital ships, and both are in dry dock undergoing refurbishment……

Iam64

Are you suggesting Starmer is to blame Oreo? He’s been consistent in saying our military needs to be strengthened.

No, it isn’t just Starmer obviously.
It’s over 20 years of underfunding. Starmer talks big about defence spending but puts it off until the end of his political term.The two child cap should have been left as it was and that money given to defence just for a start.