Prime Minister Keir Starmer has brushed off Donald Trump's latest criticism, after the US president said he was 'no Winston Churchill' over his cautious stance on Iran. Trump told the Daily Telegraph that Starmer 'took far too long' to allow US forces to use UK airbases, and later complained to the Sun that the PM 'has not been helpful'. However, Starmer deflected the attacks at Prime Minister's Questions, insisting that 'hanging on to President Trump’s latest words is not the special relationship in action'.
The PM's confidence stems from three key factors: Trump's notoriously fickle public statements, domestic public opinion, and a belief that he is acting in the British interest. YouGov polling on Monday showed fairly strong opposition to the overall US operation in Iran, with opinion slightly against even allowing US aircraft to use British bases. Downing Street sources say Starmer is focused on protecting British people, not on managing Trump's whims.
Despite the friction, Starmer has previously enjoyed Trump's praise, including for his 'beautiful' accent. He also played a role in securing a letter from King Charles for an unprecedented second state visit. However, there are red lines: Downing Street condemned Trump's inaccurate criticisms of Sadiq Khan, and Starmer rebuked Trump in January over comments about British soldiers in Afghanistan, calling them 'insulting and frankly appalling'.
This balanced diplomatic approach reflects the reality of dealing with a US president known for erratic behaviour. Starmer's strategy is to ignore much of Trump's rhetoric and wait for concrete actions, a tactic adopted by other world leaders. While some Tories have criticised the PM for not fully backing the US-Israeli attack on Iran, public opinion appears to side with Starmer.
