Brian Reade Questions the Value of a Special Relationship with Donald Trump
In a scathing opinion piece, columnist Brian Reade has challenged the notion that Britain should maintain a 'special relationship' with Donald Trump, whom he describes as a 'paranoid thug'. This comes after Trump recently insulted Prime Minister Keir Starmer by stating, 'This is not Winston Churchill we're dealing with,' a remark Reade dismisses as 'pretty lame' given Trump's reputation for sharp insults.
Trump's Historical Ignorance Exposed
Reade argues that one of Trump's key weaknesses is his profound ignorance of history. He points out that if Trump had any understanding, he would realise that comparing Starmer unfavourably to Churchill might actually be a compliment. Churchill's legacy includes controversial actions such as deploying the Army against striking Welsh miners, sending troops to Liverpool during a transport strike where two people were killed, dismissing hunger marchers, and overseeing the violent Black and Tans in Ireland.
Reade emphasises that Trump lacks self-awareness, noting that Churchill, a veteran of military campaigns in India, Africa, and the Western Front, would likely have despised Trump for dodging the Vietnam draft, mocking captured war pilot John McCain, and falsely claiming British troops in Afghanistan were 'nowhere near the action' despite 457 fatalities.
British Right's Shaky Historical Grasp
The columnist also criticises the British right for their support of Trump's actions, highlighting their inconsistent justifications for conflicts. He references Nigel Farage's claim that the US-UK relationship is at its worst since the Suez Crisis, but counters this by noting historical tensions: Harold Wilson refused to send troops to Vietnam, angering Lyndon Johnson; Joe Biden's rushed Afghanistan withdrawal; and Margaret Thatcher's fallout with Ronald Reagan over the Falklands and Grenada.
'So 'sh*t happens',' Reade quips, suggesting that such disputes are not unprecedented, and he cynically predicts more conflicts under Trump's influence.
The Risks of Intelligence Sharing with Trump
While acknowledging that Britain needs a decent relationship with the US for intelligence sharing and other matters, Reade questions the wisdom of collaborating closely with Trump. He portrays Trump as a 'verbally incontinent, near 80-year-old President' who confuses Greenland and Iceland, announces potential World War III in a baseball cap, and surrounds himself with 'nodding, mad-eyed, fundamentalist freaks'.
Reade extends the critique by comparing Trump to a 'wife-beater', alleging he abuses and demeans partners who disobey him, then treats them with contempt when they return. He cites Starmer's 'grovelling' state visit invite to Trump as an example of this dynamic, which he says resulted in shame for Britain.
Call for Strength and Public Opinion
Asserting that bullies only respect strength, Reade urges Starmer to continue standing up to Trump rather than seeking reconciliation. He supports this stance with a recent YouGov poll indicating that 81% of Britons disapprove of Trump. Reade concludes by posing a rhetorical question: whether 'the Mad Mullahs or the Manic Megalomaniac' poses a greater threat to Britain's economy and global peace, leaving the answer ambiguous but implying Trump's danger.
In summary, Reade's article is a forceful argument for reevaluating Britain's ties with the US under Trump, driven by concerns over his character, historical ignorance, and the potential risks to national interests and dignity.
