Donald Trump’s recent visit to his golf resorts in Scotland has been a political masterclass – one that left UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer looking flat-footed and reactive.
In front of a throng of international journalists, Trump laid out a blueprint for electoral success with the same blunt clarity that has defined his political career: cut taxes, defend free speech, secure the border, clamp down on illegal immigration and take a hard line on crime.
These are policies with broad public support, and Trump knew exactly how to frame them.
Khan is “nasty”
But he didn’t stop there. In a move as sharp as it was calculated, Trump openly attacked London Mayor Sadiq Khan, calling him a “nasty person” who has done a “terrible job” running the capital.
He then name-checked Nigel Farage, describing him as a “great guy” whom he likes a lot.
Starmer in an excruciating position
This combination of praise and scorn forced Starmer into an excruciating position. In front of the cameras, he had to nod along with Trump’s common-sense policy positions despite the fact that his own government has pursued the opposite approach.
Starmer’s Britain has raised taxes, failed to control the “small boats” bringing illegal economic migrants across the English Channel and even introduced a new police unit to monitor social media comments about immigration.
UK government is doing everything voters don’t want
His government is also consulting on bringing in blasphemy-style laws to silence criticism of Islam, alongside an Online Safety Bill granting the state unprecedented surveillance powers over ordinary citizens.
The contrast with Trump’s unapologetically pro-liberty message could not have been starker.
Flustered and desperate to reassert himself, Starmer stepped in front of the cameras at Number 10 Downing Street and, in his trademark cardboard monotone, delivered a wildly misjudged announcement: unless Israel and Hamas agree to an immediate ceasefire, Britain will unilaterally recognise the state of Palestine in September.
Starmer is naive on Gaza conflict
The statement as naïve as it was unworkable and transparently opportunistic – a clumsy attempt to project authority that only underscored his weakness.
In one visit, Trump managed to highlight Starmer’s lack of conviction and credibility on the issues that matter most to voters.
While Trump’s remarks resonated with clarity and purpose, Starmer’s response was awkward, defensive and politically disastrous.
