2 w. ago Trump’s visit revealed a stark truth: Britain feels more than ever like a country stuck in the past | Simon Jenkins

The grandeur and pageantry surrounding the state visit cannot disguise the fact that we have absolutely no vision for our futureBritain has made its point. We can do the past. The rest of the world may be more powerful and richer than we are, but only Britain can embody statehood in a banquet. Only Britain can force the titans of the digital age into white tie and tails, and reduce an American president to quivering admiration.The question is where now? Trump’s itinerary mostly avoided central London. He did not go near Downing Street, let alone address parliament. Imagine a state visit to the US that did not include the White House or the Capitol. This week was all soft power and flattery. It probably did more for British tourism than for steel tariffs or pharmaceuticals.Simon Jenkins is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Donald Trump gives wild verdict on King Charles' banquet menu and Windsor Castle decor

While flying back to the United States after his state visit to the UK, Donald Trump revealed what he really thought of his stay at Windsor Castle and being hosted by King Charles

Politics

2 w. ago Google reveals £5bn UK AI investment ahead of Trump state visit

The move, which comes as a major boost to the UK Government, was announced as Google opens a new data centre in Waltham Cross in Hertfordshire.

Economics

3 w. ago Starmer fancies himself a leader among leaders – but his tough talk on defence is just expensive bluster | Simon Jenkins

With the world in crisis, the PM is spending billions to back his posturing. But he has no clout over Gaza or Ukraine, and it’s time he acted accordinglyEach night we wonder where we are. We sit in comfort watching death and destruction fall on thousands in Gaza and Ukraine. Each night we see buildings exploding, people screaming and children starving. Statesmen stand around and deplore. There is anxious talk of what next – another 9/11 perhaps, or a Cuba 1962? Or is it, as some say, a 1939 or 1914 moment? As for the one man with notional power over the world, Donald Trump, his pledge of an end to wars has proved futile – and a bonanza for defence industries everywhere.Whenever someone cries that something must be done, I always ask by whom? Day after day, Britain’s Keir Starmer – when he isn’t battling domestic crises and scandals – rises in the Commons to announce that he is working towards a ceasefire. But he is not. He is talking about working. If Trump cannot stop the killing –...

Politics

3 w. ago Trump’s shorter state visit revealed with special flypast and military spectacle

There will be no public-facing element for the US president during his stay with the King and Queen at Windsor Castle.

Events

last month Trump’s ‘Gaza Riviera’ plan is an obscenity. Can we really trust Tony Blair to have told him so? | Simon Jenkins

The former PM’s leaked visit to the White House is concerning. This scheme is an outrage that no other Arab – or western – state could backSign 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 moreTony Blair’s leaked presence at the recent White House discussion of Donald Trump’s “Gaza Riviera” plan is either good news or outrageous. Good news if he used his influence with Trump to terminate this obscenity. Dreadful news if he were to be party to it.The plan itself was first outlined to an incredulous world by Trump in February. The details have now emerged. It involves the expulsion – the de facto imprisonment – of 2 million Palestinians, while the US administers the exclave for 10 years. Each Palestinian would be paid $5,000 each plus four years’ rent somewhere else and one year’s supply of food. Gaza is then rebuilt as a skyscraper wonderland of artificial intelligence inv...

Politics