4 h. ago I know many are deeply opposed to Trump’s visit. But Keir Starmer doesn’t have that luxury | Martin Kettle

The choice for governments around the world is clear: engage, or fall beneath the US president’s wheel. For now, Britain must do the formerHas any visiting leader ever seen so little of Britain or the British as Donald Trump is doing this week? The absurdly unrepresentative version of the country offered up to the US president on his second state visit on Wednesday was a Windsor parody, a Potemkin version of this country, glistening with protocol and polish, amid a lavish reenactment of the British monarchy’s invented traditions. Just about the only thing that was authentic was the rain.But here’s the unalterable and underlying thing. None of that really matters. What matters is that Trump is the most powerful leader in the world. Despite all the Trumpian shocks, the US and Britain remain allies. Business can and should be done between them. So the opportunity for face-time with Trump, in circumstances designed to soften him up with flattery and engage him over this country’s own pr...

Politics

5 h. ago King and senior royals host Donald Trump in Windsor for US president’s second state visit – UK politics live

On the first full day of his state visit to the UK, the US president will attend various events in Windsor before a state banquetLucy Powell has hit out at the “sexist” framing of her deputy Labour leadership campaign, with people claiming she and her rival, Bridget Phillipson, are standing as “proxies” for two men, Aletha Adu reports.Most of Donald Trump’s policies horrify progressives and leftwingers in Britain, including Labour party members and supporters, but Keir Starmer has said almost nothing critical about the Trump administration because he has taken a view that maintaining good relations with the White House is in the national interest.I understand the UK government’s position of being pragmatic on the international stage and wanting to maintain a good relationship with the leader of the most powerful country in the world. Faced with a revanchist Russia, Europe’s security feels less certain now than at any time since the second world war. And the threat of even higher US ...

Politics

7 h. ago Donald Trump greeted by the king, William and Kate after landing in Windsor – UK politics live

On the first full day of his state visit to the UK, the US president will attend various events in Windsor before a state banquetLucy Powell has hit out at the “sexist” framing of her deputy Labour leadership campaign, with people claiming she and her rival, Bridget Phillipson, are standing as “proxies” for two men, Aletha Adu reports.Most of Donald Trump’s policies horrify progressives and leftwingers in Britain, including Labour party members and supporters, but Keir Starmer has said almost nothing critical about the Trump administration because he has taken a view that maintaining good relations with the White House is in the national interest.I understand the UK government’s position of being pragmatic on the international stage and wanting to maintain a good relationship with the leader of the most powerful country in the world. Faced with a revanchist Russia, Europe’s security feels less certain now than at any time since the second world war. And the threat of even higher US ...

Politics

8 h. ago Donald Trump greeted by William and Kate after landing in Windsor – UK politics live

On the first full day of his state visit to the UK, the US president will attend various events in Windsor before a state banquetLucy Powell has hit out at the “sexist” framing of her deputy Labour leadership campaign, with people claiming she and her rival, Bridget Phillipson, are standing as “proxies” for two men, Aletha Adu reports.Most of Donald Trump’s policies horrify progressives and leftwingers in Britain, including Labour party members and supporters, but Keir Starmer has said almost nothing critical about the Trump administration because he has taken a view that maintaining good relations with the White House is in the national interest.I understand the UK government’s position of being pragmatic on the international stage and wanting to maintain a good relationship with the leader of the most powerful country in the world. Faced with a revanchist Russia, Europe’s security feels less certain now than at any time since the second world war. And the threat of even higher US ...

Politics

10 h. ago Will Keir Starmer get ANYTHING out of Donald Trump's visit? Steel industry misery as deal to slash US tariffs is abandoned despite PM's boasts

Little more than four months on from the Prime Minister boasting of his 'fantastic' deal with Donald Trump, it was revealed that punitive levies on British steel will remain.

Economics

11 h. ago Donald Trump LIVE: US President to meet King Charles, royals at Windsor in UK state visit

Donald Trump will meet with King Charles and Sir Keir Starmer during a second state visit for the US president.

Politics

20 h. ago Labour faces questions over what concessions were made to secure a £30billion deal with US tech giants

As part of Donald Trump's State visit this week, Keir Starmer has struck an agreement that could bring billions of pounds into Britain. It will enable both countries to cooperate on areas such as AI.

Economics

22 h. ago Trump state visit: US president lands in UK with ray of hope for beleaguered Keir Starmer

Leaders begin historic second state visit with multibillion-dollar ‘tech prosperity deal’

Politics

28 h. ago Just when Keir Starmer thought he’d got Jeffrey Epstein off his plate – look who’s coming to dinner | Marina Hyde

After a tough week for Labour, Donald Trump is touching down for a state visit. Let’s hope the PM can stomach itQuick update on Keir Starmer’s government of “national renewal”: having just lost his deputy and housing secretary over her failure to pay the required stamp duty, the prime minister has also lost his US ambassador over his known close association with a known paedophile sex trafficker. Hang on – he’s now also lost his director of political strategy for relating some dirty jokes about Diane Abbott.Meanwhile, an increasing number of people think the solution to all this is Andy Burnham taking over, suggesting the current Greater Manchester mayor could run in a parliamentary seat that has only notionally become free because the previous Labour MP was suspended from the party after being found to have sent messages hoping a couple of constituents would soon be dead/“mown down”, and is now apparently “off sick”. On top of which, we’re having the Americans round. US president D...

Politics

29 h. ago Voices: As Keir Starmer fights for his political life, Donald Trump flies to his rescue

Though they make an unlikely pair, they share a unique bond and competitive streak – which may just work in the prime minister’s favour, says Sean O’Grady

Politics

31 h. ago Voices: As Keir Starmer is fighting for his political life, Donald Trump flies to his rescue

Though they make an unlikely pair, they share a unique bond and competitive streak – which may just work in the prime minister’s favour, says Sean O’Grady

Politics

33 h. ago Donald Trump: What is the US president doing during his UK state visit? King Charles, Keir Starmer, protests

Donald Trump arrives in the UK on Tuesday night on a second official state visit - here is his plans while in the country.

Politics

61 h. ago Donald Trump’s UK state visit arrives at awkward moment after Mandelson exit

Sacking of Peter Mandelson over Epstein ties threatens to overshadow fanfare of US president’s two-day tripFor Donald Trump, the priority was to avoid any distractions. But as he arrives for his second state visit to the UK – an unprecedented honour for a US president – the crisis engulfing Keir Starmer’s government threatens to overshadow the proceedings.The circumstances of that crisis are especially awkward. Peter Mandelson was unceremoniously sacked as the UK’s ambassador to Washington on Thursday after emails were published in which he had urged his friend Jeffrey Epstein to fight for early release from prison in 2008. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago King Charles fuming over Keir Starmer decision just days before Donald Trump visit

King Charles has reportedly been left frustrated by the Lord Mandelson controversy, which has created a "distraction" just days before President Donald Trump's UK visit

Politics

3 d. ago Donald Trump to swerve UK state visit protest with Keir Starmer Chequers reception

Former Tory MP Gavin Barwell, who worked in Downing Street during the previous state visit of the US president warned ministers should organise events away from protests

Politics

6 d. ago Spotlight falls on Starmer’s political judgment after Mandelson sacking

Decision to end support for US ambassador over Jeffrey Epstein links comes just before Donald Trump state visit Keir Starmer is facing serious questions about his political judgment after he was forced to sack his US ambassador, Peter Mandelson, over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.In the second damaging departure for the government in a week, the prime minister withdrew support for Lord Mandelson over emails to Epstein from 2008 suggesting his sentence for soliciting a child for prostitution should be challenged. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Call for Sir Keir Starmer to cancel Donald Trump's state visit to the UK

The firefighter's union is calling on the Prime Minister to cancel Donald Trump's state visit

Politics

8 d. ago Firefighters sound alarm over Donald Trump state visit after strain on crews

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) sounded the alarm over the strain on resources from Donald Trump's state visit - and urged Keir Starmer to cancel the US President's lavish trip

Events

1 week ago One by one, leaders learn that grovelling to Trump leads to disaster. When will it dawn on Starmer? | Simon Tisdall

As the US president’s state visit looms, he’s leaving a trail of broken promises across the globe. Britain can’t afford to look like a lackey stateSign up for our new weekly newsletter Matters of Opinion, where our columnists and writers will reflect on what they’ve been debating, thinking about, reading and moreSucking up to Donald Trump never works for long. Narendra Modi is the latest world leader to learn this lesson the hard way. Wooing his “true friend” in the White House, India’s authoritarian prime minister thought he’d conquered Trump’s inconstant heart. The two men hit peak pals in 2019, holding hands at a “Howdy Modi” rally in Texas. But it’s all gone pear-shaped thanks to Trump’s tariffs and dalliance with Pakistan. Like a jilted lover on the rebound, Modi shamelessly threw himself at Vladimir Putin in China last week. Don and Narendra! It’s over! Although, to be honest, it always felt a little shallow.Other suitors for Trump’s slippery hand have suffered similar heartbr...

Politics

1 week ago Labour MPs urge Keir Starmer not to meet Israeli president during visit to London

Isaac Herzog is understood to be visiting London next week

Politics