The Americans know how to make a prime minister feel special. It isn’t hard. Saying “you are special” or words to that effect, usually does the trick. It helps to say it in the White House, within earshot of the British press corps.
Westminster hacks and Downing Street aides, most of whom are unhealthily obsessed with US politics, love a Washington summit for the same reason that Harry Potter fans queue to visit the Warner Bros studio in Watford. Standing on the stage where the magic happens is its own reward.
That makes Rishi Sunak a cheap date for Joe Biden at this week’s summit. The US president can bestow the normal diplomatic courtesies, while conceding nothing of strategic substance. Downing Street then tells friendly journalists that the two men bonded over baseball, or some other shared cultural enthusiasm, or that their wives did. The prime minister flies home with burnished credentials as the leader of a very important country indeed. » | Rafael Behr | Wednesady June 7, 2023
Schoolboy meets granddad. Naturally, granddad puts schoolboy in his place. Also probably advising him to pay more attention to his homework, especially that relating to geopolitics. Granddad will surely also add that he has been a very silly boy to back Brexit, telling him he should have known better. – © Mark Alexander
Rish! demonstrates the incapabilities of artificial stupidity during US jolly: Despite big talk on AI, trade and Ukraine, it’s obvious to all PM’s visit is a waste of his and Joe’s time »
Rishi Sunak is most unimpressive. Has he ever done anything in politcs that impresses anyone? No, please don't mention his give-aways to his croney friends during the pandemic. That 'generosity' doesn't count. He should have helped EVERYONE, not just his select donors and chums. All of us had to live through the pandemic. We all suffered. Because of Sunak's policies, the select few made a killing; the rest of us had to go and sing for our supper, so to speak. – © Mark Alexander
