The globe-trotting prime minister has hit again at his critics – and cosied as much as Donald Trump like by no means earlier than.
After claims by opponents that he spends an excessive amount of time overseas, Sir Keir Starmer has insisted his travels are within the UK’s pursuits.
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A reminder: in just below 5 months as PM, Sir Keir has made 10 abroad journeys and spent 26 days overseas.
To be truthful, these journeys have included 5 worldwide summits: the UN, G7, G20, COP29 on local weather change and the Commonwealth heads of presidency.
So it was no shock that within the luxurious medieval splendour of the Guildhall within the Metropolis of London, Sir Keir made the case for clocking up the air miles.
In white tie and tails – in contrast to Labour predecessor Gordon Brown, who stubbornly refused to vary out of his lounge swimsuit – he was addressing the annual Lord Mayor’s Banquet, which dates again to 1502.
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Sir Keir seemed dapper upon arrival. Pic: PA
US or Europe? Why not each?
As ever on these glittering events, when historically the PM addresses ambassadors, enterprise chiefs and Metropolis grandees about worldwide affairs, the PM’s speech was a world tour.
And, considerably, he started with a appeal offensive aimed toward Donald Trump – no point out of Joe Biden, by the way – and rejected claims that the UK ought to select between the US and Europe.
Clement Attlee did not select and nor did Sir Winston Churchill, he stated. Was he claiming to be the inheritor to Labour’s hero Attlee? No shock about that. However Churchill, the Tories’ all-time hero? Actually?
The nationwide curiosity, Sir Keir stated, calls for that the UK works with the US and Europe – a transparent reference to his ambition to safe commerce offers with each.
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The PM was in a position to mirror on loads of current international journeys. Pic: PA
The Trump love-in
However then got here the try at a Trump love-in. First, he hailed the “special relationship”, which cynics at all times declare the UK clings to rather more than People do.
After which he recalled how the president-elect had “graciously hosted me for dinner in Trump Tower”. So gracious that Overseas Secretary David Lammy has since admitted tucking right into a second serving to of hen.
However then Sir Keir revealed this: “I told him that we will invest more deeply than ever in this transatlantic bond with our American friends in the years to come.”
Will that impress Mr Trump? A couple of hours earlier within the Commons, Nigel Farage had advised MPs that the Trump crew are “appalled” by Sir Keir’s Chagos Islands deal.
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When Lammy and Starmer met Trump
A stolen slogan
After a ritual assault on the Conservatives, who “turned their back on the world” and left a “shocking legacy”, he vowed – provocatively quoting the Brexit slogan – to “take back control”.
But on what appears to be like like dithering by the federal government over committing to spending 2.5% of nationwide revenue (GDP) on defence, there was no pledge or timetable – only a promise to “set out a clear pathway”, no matter which means.
On Ukraine, he pledged help “for as long as it takes… to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position for negotiations” – the primary time he is spoken publicly about talks with Russia to finish the battle.
Sir Keir ended by taking over his critics once more, over his talks with China’s President Xi. “We can’t simply look the other way,” he stated. “We need to engage.”
And his closing phrases had been emphatic. “Britain is back,” he declared.
Britain could also be again. However so is Donald Trump. And Sir Keir left his viewers of diplomats and dignitaries in little question that he needs to do enterprise with him.
