‘We Can’t Just Be Supine’: Ed Davey Urges Starmer to Stand Up to ‘Bully’ Trump

THE GUARDIAN: Lib Dem leader compares PM to child trying to avoid trouble and says calling out US president is ‘the patriotic thing to do’

A screenshot taken from this article in today’s Guardian. | Keir Starmer has disagreed with the US administration on occasions but the main approach has been to minimise any differences. Photograph: Elijah Nouvelagenicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images
Keir Starmer’s approach to Donald Trump is like that of a child in a playground hoping “the bully doesn’t notice them” and he should be more brave in standing up to the US president, Ed Davey has said.

In a direct challenge to the prime minister, the Liberal Democrat leader said that while the UK must engage with Trump it was “the patriotic thing to do” to call him out rather than try to indulge or placate him.

“I think so many people want to see our politicians standing up for British values and showing that we don’t think Donald Trump represents them or understands them,” Davey said.

“It’s not just that people want to see someone speaking up for British values. I don’t think Trump respects weakness. Frankly he never has done, and if you’re going to do a deal with him you’ve got to show you’re strong. » | Peter Walker, Senior political correspondent | Sunday, February 16, 2025