The Prime Minister the UK needs

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (Photo: AP)

Rachel Reeves is right on one point - the world has changed since October 2024.

Of course, the chancellor didn't say how or why the world has changed, but the implication is obvious. The presidency of Donald Trump is creating uncertainty and anxiety. This is creating economic turmoil, which is likely to worsen as the "trade wars" become more aggressive.

The Labour government's response to this is to do nothing that might upset the US president, even going so far as to consider a tax reduction for US tech companies. Meanwhile, the need to "balance the books" against the unpredictable economic backdrop is being met by declaring war on disabled people.

Many of us made predictions about the economic impact of a second Trump presidency. What I didn't foresee, however, was the way in which the UK government would feel need to placate and appease Donald Trump, completely losing its moral compass in the process.

Yesterday I asked "what is the point of the Labour government?" Unless it recovers its moral compass and finds a set of values worth fighting for, then it is fundamentally pointless. The approach taken so far towards the US is misguided and serves no-one's interests - the desire not to "rock the boat" may be understandable on one level, but is an inappropriate and frankly ill-conceived response to someone who stirs things up on a daily basis. 

The Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a statement yesterday in which he spoke of the need to "fundamentally reimagine our economy" in the face of Trump's tariffs. He stated that Canada would be seeking more "reliable" trading partners. Tellingly, he added: "The old relationship we had with the United States, based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military co-operations, is over". 

Contrast this with Keir Starmer who is still talking about a "special relationship" and only a month ago was seeking to "woo" the US president with what The Guardian diplomatically called a "charm offensive", offering an unprecedented second state visit and massaging Trump's ego with praise for his pursuit of peace in Ukraine. All this while those closest to Trump, including Elon Musk, pour disdain on the UK. 

Mark Carney yesterday stood up for his country's sovereignty. He showed that he will not be intimidated by the bullies in Washington. He realises there is no point in playing games with Trump - instead of being appeased, Trump must be resisted. The problems of economic uncertainty cannot be remedied by encouraging and gratifying the cause of that uncertainty. 

This is the kind of PM that Britain needs - not one whose first instincts in an economic crisis are to target poor and disabled people  

The kind of PM the UK needs is one like the character played by Hugh Grant in Love Actually. In the film the cabinet is unhappy at the way talks are going and the US president's belligerent approach, but the Prime Minister is initially apprehensive and timorous. However, he eventually finds a backbone when he witnesses the president trying to kiss a member of the PM's staff - clearly without consent. The next day the Prime Minister issues a statement to the media that takes his US counterpart by surprise:

"I love that word 'relationship'. Covers all manner of sins, doesn't it? I fear that this has become a bad relationship. A relationship based on the President taking exactly what he wants and casually ignoring all those things that really matter to Britain. We may be a small country but we're a great one, too. The country of Shakespeare, Churchill, the Beatles, Sean Connery, Harry Potter. David Beckham's right foot. David Beckham's left foot, come to that. And a friend who bullies us is no longer a friend. And since bullies only respond to strength, from now onward, I will be prepared to be much stronger. And the President should be prepared for that."

The UK needs a PM who is not afraid to make a similar stand. Will Keir Starmer follow Mark Carney's lead, or will he continue with his current strategy of appeasement?

It is worth pointing out that, back in January, Canada's Liberal Party trailed the Conservatives in the opinion polls by 26 points. They now lead by six. What accounts for this turnaround? Quite simply, the need for strong leadership to deal with the threats and intimidation coming from the White House. Rising anti-Trump sentiment unsurprisingly responds positively to leaders who challenge the US president rather than seek to placate him. 

While many are unhappy with Keir Starmer, the idea that either Kemi Badenoch or Trump apologist Nigel Farage would be the PM the country needs is absurd. The former is choosing some strange alliances owing to her love of culture wars, while the latter's closeness with the US president will become an electoral liability. Both Badenoch and Farage would be compromised and incapable of standing up for Britain's interests. 

Can Keir transform himself into the UK's Mark Carney and, in doing so, revitalise his party's flagging fortunes? More importantly, will he? If he can find the courage to grasp the opportunity, he may prove to be the Prime Minister we need. If...