Sir Keir Starmer will now have to deal with President Trump (Image: Getty)
posted a congratulatory video message to on Monday, as Mr Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the . In the clip, sounding rather like he was opening up to someone he fancied after a few dates, the bespectacled PM said he wants to take the partnership “to the next level”, and that he looks forward to the pair’s next meeting.
Sir Keir also talked of a “uniquely close bond” between our two countries – text book and very familiar language rolled out by prime minister after prime minister for decades.
I was strangely reminded of , particularly the scene when a young, insufferable King Joffrey tells his grandfather: “I am the !” The powerful, fictional character of Tywin Lannister then replies: “Any man who must say ‘I am the King’ is no true king”.
If you have to repeatedly proclaim something, people will start wondering if it’s actually true. The Prime Minister’s message, which I’m sure was meant to come across as commanding and assertive, was actually a little pathetic. holding an empty bowl.
Earlier that day, the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, also had me cringing on the train when he appeared on the Today programme and said: “The I met was a man who had incredible grace, generosity, very keen to be a good host, very funny, very friendly, very warm about the UK, our Royal Family, Scotland.”
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The Prime Minister and his Foreign Secretary have set about being overly nice to the new occupant of the White House (Image: Getty)
Mr Lammy had famously previously called Mr Trump a “tyrant in a toupee,” and a “serial liar and a cheat”, among other things. If he were not currently occupying the Oval Office, I doubt the Foreign Secretary would be saying such nice things.
Of course, there is a place for flattery, especially when it comes to dealing with Trump, who possesses a famously sizable ego. But, equally, the former TV host loves dealing with strong, macho winners, and respects those who stick up for themselves when negotiating a deal.
The undiluted obsequiousness currently being displayed by the Cabinet is embarrassing and potentially hazardous as the new President talks about imposing tariffs on European countries and airs doubts about NATO. Margaret Thatcher’s relationship with Ronald Reagan was not built on grovelling.
It was based on mutual understanding and respect. Oftentimes, Mrs Thatcher proved more formidable, sharp, realistic, intellectually adept and more familiar with policy details than the then-occupant of the White House.
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Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan’s relationship wasn’t without friction (Image: Getty)
She had to stand up to the President on occasion, over the invasion of Granada, the Falklands War and nuclear disarmament, to provide a few examples, and didn’t shy away from asserting what she believed was in Britain’s best interest. All this while maintaining a productive relationship.
After Theresa May lost her party’s majority in 2017, Mr Trump reportedly referred to her, as well as then German Chancellor Angela Merkel, as a “loser”. Sir Keir, after attaining a stonking landslide majority in the Commons last year, has an opportunity to make some headway with Trump. Stand up to the new President as well as say nice things.
Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz earlier this month warned Mr Trump against using force as he attempts to . As ridiculous as it looks, the French President has also hit upon something when he very aggressively shakes the US President’s hand.
I don’t think Sir Keir could pull off the tug-of-war greeting as well. Maybe he could figure out a different memorable greeting.
Macron and Trump have a little handshaking competition when they meet (Image: Getty)
At the same time, instead of resorting to flattery, enacting some policies that Mr Trump would like, but are still in the nation’s interest, such as increasing defence spending, would be a good idea. The world will be full of sycophants as Trump looks ahead to the next four years, and Britain, whose global influence and power is not what it was, can’t afford to be just another one of those.
The President himself told reporters yesterday after being asked about the US relationship with South America while signing a raft of executive orders with his trademark massive black pen: “They need us much more than we need them. Everyone needs us.”