The globe-trotting prime minister has hit back at his critics – and cosied up to Donald Trump like never before.
After claims by opponents that he spends too much time abroad, Sir Keir Starmer has insisted his travels are in the UK’s interests.
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A reminder: in just under five months as PM, Sir Keir has made 10 overseas trips and spent 26 days out of the country.
To be fair, those trips have included five international summits: the UN, G7, G20, COP29 on climate change and the Commonwealth heads of government.
So it was no surprise that in the luxurious medieval splendour of the Guildhall in the City of London, Sir Keir made the case for clocking up the air miles.
In white tie and tails – unlike Labour predecessor Gordon Brown, who stubbornly refused to change out of his lounge suit – he was addressing the annual Lord Mayor’s Banquet, which dates back to 1502.
US or Europe? Why not both?
As ever on these glittering occasions, when traditionally the PM addresses ambassadors, business chiefs and City grandees about international affairs, the PM’s speech was a world tour.
And, significantly, he began with a charm offensive aimed at Donald Trump – no mention of Joe Biden, incidentally – and rejected claims that the UK should choose between the US and Europe.
Clement Attlee didn’t choose and nor did Sir Winston Churchill, he said. Was he claiming to be the heir to Labour’s hero Attlee? No surprise about that. But Churchill, the Tories’ all-time hero? Really?
The national interest, Sir Keir said, demands that the UK works with the US and Europe – a clear reference to his ambition to secure trade deals with both.
The Trump love-in
But then came the attempt at a Trump love-in. First, he hailed the “special relationship”, which cynics always claim the UK clings to much more than Americans do.
And then he recalled how the president-elect had “graciously hosted me for dinner in Trump Tower”. So gracious that Foreign Secretary David Lammy has since admitted tucking into a second helping of chicken.
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But 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 few hours earlier in the Commons, Nigel Farage had told MPs that the Trump team are “appalled” by Sir Keir’s Chagos Islands deal.
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A stolen slogan
After a ritual attack 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”.
Yet on what looks like dithering by the government over committing to spending 2.5% of national income (GDP) on defence, there was no pledge or timetable – just a promise to “set out a clear pathway”, whatever that means.
On Ukraine, he pledged support “for as long as it takes… to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position for negotiations” – the first time he’s spoken publicly about talks with Russia to end the war.
Sir Keir ended by taking on his critics again, over his talks with China’s President Xi. “We can’t simply look the other way,” he said. “We need to engage.”
And his final words were emphatic. “Britain is back,” he declared.
Britain may be back. But so is Donald Trump. And Sir Keir left his audience of diplomats and dignitaries in no doubt that he wants to do business with him.
