Britain Will Not Join U.S. Blockade of Strait of Hormuz, Starmer Says

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the U.K.’s diplomatic efforts are directed at keeping the vital waterway “open, not shut.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain was blunt on Monday morning. His country is “not supporting” President Trump’s threatened military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran broke down over the weekend.

The prime minister told the BBC in a radio interview that he was focused on “bringing countries together to keep the straits open, not shut,” adding that “it is, in my view, vital that we get the strait open and fully open.”

But Mr. Starmer refused to blame Mr. Trump personally for rising energy costs in Britain, saying that it was Iran that had driven up the price of oil by making the strait too dangerous for cargo ships to travel through.

After the host of the radio show pointed out repeatedly that Iran’s actions were in response to Mr. Trump’s decision to launch the war in the first place, Mr. Starmer finally said, simply: “I mean, I’m not, look, I’m not going to get involved in that.”

The interview put on display the longstanding challenge for Mr. Starmer in dealing with Mr. Trump and his chaotic foreign policy.

On the one hand, Mr. Starmer’s refusal to join the American and Israeli-led war in Iran has triggered Mr. Trump’s ire. The prime minister has said he will not give in to “pressure” from the president to drag Britain into another conflict in the Middle East.

The decision to stand up to Mr. Trump appears to be popular in Britain, where Mr. Starmer’s low poll ratings have picked up slightly. » | Michael D. Shear | Reporting from London | Monday, April 13, 2026

Rob Groves: Neutralising Trump: Why Starmer Doesn't Fight Back

Apr 4, 2026 | Donald Trump launched a war in the Middle East without consulting a single NATO ally, and now expects Britain to clean up the mess.

This week I'm doing something unusual: giving Keir Starmer some credit.

While GB News and the right-wing tabloids line up behind Trump, the Prime Minister is quietly building coalitions, strengthening European ties, and absorbing every petty insult thrown his way. Is that weakness, or statecraft?


Trump must surely be America’s worst president ever. — © Mark Alexander

Relationship with Trump May Be beyond Repair, Keir Starmer Told

THE GUARDIAN: PM gets widespread backing after president’s mocking impersonation takes US-UK relationship to new low

Keir Starmer has been warned his relationship with Donald Trump may be beyond repair after the US president derided the prime minister for consulting his team about military decisions, in a mocking impersonation.

In a new low for UK-US relations, Trump appeared to imitate Starmer in a weak voice during an Easter lunch speech at the White House, and said the UK was “not our best” ally.

The episode is Trump’s latest broadside at Starmer and the UK’s “old” aircraft carriers after the prime minister declined to let the US use British military bases for its initial strikes on Iran.

Following the latest attack on Starmer, diplomatic and political figures said he was right to brush off the criticism but added that the relationship was very damaged and he would need to redouble efforts to built [sic] international relations elsewhere. » | Rowena Mason | Whitehall editor | Friday, April 3, 2026

Trump Mocks Starmer in Fresh Attack

THE TELEGRAPH: US president impersonates PM, mocking him over aircraft carriers at White House lunch

Donald Trump has mocked Sir Keir Starmer as weak over his response to the war with Iran.

The US president impersonated the Prime Minister, claiming he had told him he had to “ask his team” about sending “two old broken-down aircraft carriers” to the Middle East.

Speaking at an White House Easter lunch, Mr Trump said Britain “should be our best” ally, but had not been during the US-Israeli war with Iran.

The president said: “I asked [the] UK, who should be our best. In fact the King is coming over here in two weeks, he’s a nice guy, King Charles.

“But should be our best but they weren’t our best. I said ‘you have two, old broken-down aircraft carriers, do you think you could send them over’?”

Impersonating Sir Keir with a weak voice, Mr Trump added: “‘Ohhh, I’ll have to ask my team’. » | Telegraph Reporters | Friday, April 3, 2026

There's plenty of material for us to mock Trump; in fact, the supply is limitless!

What a crass man Trump is! Totally unworthy of the office he holds. Is this man really the best man Americans could kick up to lead them? Is America so short of talent that they have to elect/re-elect a man of this low calibre for the highest office in the land? — © Mark Alexander

Trump Is Trying to Pull the UK into War | Michael Martins

Mar 17, 2026 | “I think [Trump's] going to want to save face in this, and I think that's where the landing zone is.”

The UK now has an opportunity to de-escalate tensions with the US by “finding the avenue” to abate Trump’s rhetoric toward Starmer, says former political and economic specialist at the US Embassy in the UK during Trump's first term, Michael Martins.


I am no Starmer fan, but Starmer is ABSOLUTELY CORRECT not to allow Britain to be dragged into this war by Goldilocks. Goldilocks should do his own DIRTY WORK. He got America into this war, so let him get America out of it. — © Mark Alexander

Iran — A Message to the PM

This Iranian lady has a very important message for him, and for Britain.

Iran Says It Will Never Surrender as Trump Warns It Faces Complete Destruction | BBC News

Mar 7, 2026 | Iran’s President has said the country will never surrender, in the face of the onslaught by the US and Israel. Speaking on state television, President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country’s enemies “will take their dream of the Iranian people’s surrender to their graves”. It follows President Trump’s recent statement that only Iran’s total capitulation would bring the war to an end.

The Iranian president also apologised to neighbouring Gulf states for Iran’s recent "actions” after retaliatory strikes on US allies in the region. Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have all come under attack from Iranian missiles and drones.

President Trump responded by stating on his Truth Social media platform that if Iran did not surrender it would be “hit very hard” and faced “complete destruction”. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said his country would continue to strike Iran “with all our might”.

A military aircraft carrying the remains of six US service members killed in the Middle East has returned their remains to an air force base in Delaware. President Trump and other senior member of his administration attended a ceremony there.

Clive Myrie presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Joe Inwood, Jack Fenwick, Nick Beake, Wyre Davies and Orla Guerin.

Starmer and Iran: “Of Course He Isn’t a Churchill” | Sir Richard Dearlove

Mar 6, 2026 | “Well, of course he isn’t a Churchill.”

Keir Starmer thinks like a human rights lawyer rather than a politician, and that can be seen in a lot of his policies, says former head of MI6, Sir Richard Dearlove.


Trump is right. Starmer is no Churchill. But very few leaders are. One thing is for certain: Trump is no Roosevelt, either. I dread to think of the mess the West would have been in in 1945 had Trump been the president during World War II. Trump doesn't come up to Obama’s ankles, still less to Roosevelt’s! — © Mark Alexander

Trump Questions Whether Starmer Is 'Pandering to Muslims' on Iran | Harry Cole

Mar 3, 2026 | "I mentioned his name and he kind of just went for him." The Sun's editor-at-large Harry Cole called President Trump last night, in which he said Keir Starmer could be "pandering to muslims" over his lack of support in Iran, and implied a "breakdown" of the special relationship between the UK and US.

Starmer has just gone up in my estimation! I am sick to death of hearing about this bloody "special relationship"! Who wants a special relationship with a corrupt, cruel, megalomaniacal autocrat like Trump? — © Mark Alexander

‘So Naïve’ for Starmer to Think Non-involvement In Iran Was an Option | Sir Grant Shapps

Mar 2, 2026 | “I cannot see why this isn't just a straightforward black-and-white decision that should have been made two days ago.”

The UK has a “human rights lawyer as prime minister who just seems to think that the world operates in a way that it clearly does not run”, says former defence secretary Grant Shapps.


US presidents are the puppeteers; UK prime ministers, the marionettes.

This Grant Shapps dude is so unimpressive. He’s trotting out the same ol’, same ol’ arguments which we are all sick of hearing.

It’s very strange to me that we as a nation are rushing to get involved in this war with Iran when we have hesitated so much and so long to help the Ukrainians fight the Russians. Could, perhaps, the fact that there was no oil and money involved help to solve the puzzle? — © Mark Alexander

Reform UK Plan to Rip Up Equality Act Shocking and Un-British, Says Starmer

THE GUARDIAN: PM argues party wants to send women back to ‘old days’, as he also urges Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to speak to authorities

Reform UK’s plans to repeal the Equalities Act is “shocking” and unBritish, Keir Starmer has said, warning legislation that has provided decades of protection for women would be ripped up.

In a pre-recorded interview with BBC Breakfast, the prime minister said the legislation was British at its core and represented “basic values”, before arguing Reform wanted to send women back to the “old days” when they were not treated equally.

In a wide-ranging discussion, Starmer also said Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should speak to the authorities in the UK and US about the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and defended the government’s recent U-turn on postponing local elections.

Asked by the presenter, Naga Munchetty, about Reform’s plans to repeal the Equalities Act, Starmer said: “Can I just say how shocking it is that Reform are suggesting we tear up the Equalities Act. » | Jamie Grierson | Thursday, February 19, 2026

Related video here.

Andrew Neil: Labour Together’s Smear Campaign Against Our Journalists Is ‘Totalitarian’

Feb 16, 2026 | “It was the kind of smear propaganda that totalitarian governments authoritarian governments use.”

The Cabinet Office used to be the Rolls Royce of the British civil service, says Andrew Neil. Now, it’s “barely a Trabant” that can’t be trusted to look into the smear campaign against Sunday Times journalists by Labour Together.


Keir Starmer is clueless! He loves his bans and restrictions. This social media ban for under-16s will probably turn out to be a disaster and his generational smoking ban most certainly will. In any case, these are parenting issues, not government-interference issues. — © Mark Alexander

Michael Lambert: Who Replaces Starmer? Do You Agree with My Choice?

February 14, 2026

Nigel Farage Attacks Labour over Smoking Ban Proposal

Aug 29, 2024 | Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has criticised Sir Keir Starmer's potential plan to ban smoking outside pubs whilst enjoying a pint and smoking a cigarette outside the Westminster Arms pub in Westminster.

Sir Keir has said the Government will 'take decisions' on a potential outdoor smoking ban in an effort to curb preventable deaths and alleviate pressures on the NHS.


I know that this video is a little old now, but the problem of UK smoking bans has not gone away.

Regular visitors to this website will know that I am NO FAN of Nigel Farage; in fact, he is my bête noire, mainly because of his anti-EU stance and his dragging of this country out of the European Union, thus causing the nation to be impoverished and UK citizens to be robbed of many rights. So, seeing me post something positive about him will come as a bit of a surprise to many, I feel sure. However, I like to be fair to all, and on the smoking ban, Nigel Farage is absolutely correct. Even though I am no longer a smoker—I haven’t been a smoker for nearly four years, now—I am four square against any smoking bans. And for many important reasons. These are some important ones…

1. I loathe and despise bans of any kind: they go against my love of freedom and my devotion and commitment to libertarianism. The state should not interfere in my right to live my life as I see fit.

2. A generational smoking ban will be totally and utterly unworkable. Moreover, the police has its work cut out already, trying to police the important things—and they are failing to do that half the time—so let us not add more unworkable tasks to their day-to-day list of crimes and misdemeanours which they have to try and deal with.

3. By outlawing cigarette smoking to the young, you are making it more appealing. Anyone who has ever worked with young people should know that nothing is more appealing to the rebellious youth than something, some activity, which is forbidden. The Bible teaches us this from the story of Adam and Eve. If our politicians want to make smoking more desirable and enticing, then all they have to do is ban it!

4. By making cigarette smoking impossible, either through bans or prohibitive pricing, all you do is push our young people—and older people—to other unhealthy activities and pursuits. No politicians of any stripe are ever going to be able to create Utopia. So, what people will do is increasingly turn to drugs—cannabis, ketamine, fentanyl, cocaine, etc—for their kicks. For, be not mistaken… they will seek out their kicks.

Life is replete with risks and unhealthy activities. No politician can eliminate them, and nor should any politician even try to. Let people work hard and then play. This is the only way to ensure a well-functioning, happy and content society. — © Mark Alexander

Michael Lambert: Why No Leader Can Fix Britain’s Current Course

Feb 7, 2026 | In this video I reflect on recent events in British politics from a very different perspective — speaking from Bangkok and watching the UK from afar.

I discuss the latest defections to Reform UK, why Nigel Farage still represents a political cul-de-sac rather than a governing future, and what these shifts say about the Conservative Party’s decline.

I also look at Keir Starmer’s trip to China, the reality behind the so-called “sophisticated relationship”, and the uncomfortable truth about Britain trying to negotiate alone in a world dominated by large trade blocs.

Along the way I touch on Peter Mandelson, Labour’s leadership dilemma, Andy Burnham, Davos and the wider question of whether Brexit has left Britain trying to play a role in the world that no longer exists.

Telegraph View: Britain’s Weakness Has Been Laid Bare

THE TELEGRAPH: If we continue on this path then the UK will be at the mercy of countries that put a premium on hard power

The last seven days should have dispelled any remaining complacency about Britain’s place in the world.

Sir Keir Starmer spent the week buffeted between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. The Prime Minister gave ground on the Chinese super-embassy to the fury of the United States, worked to talk Mr Trump down from his aggressive rhetoric on Greenland, and then last night pulled a House of Lords vote on the Chagos deal scheduled for Monday.

This may foreshadow another U-turn by Sir Keir’s Government. It is now uncertain whether Britain’s relinquishing of sovereignty over the archipelago will in fact go ahead. This would be a reversal that should be welcomed, but it is tragic if it has only occurred because of foreign pressure. » | Telegraph View | Friday, January 23, 2026

I am no fan of Keir Starmer’s, but he is not the architect of Britain’s relative economic decline. Farage and Brexit are.

What Europe needs is an integrated and single European military, and the UK must play a major part, an integral part. As long as Europe remains an agglomeration of individual nations, it will remain weak. The build-up of a European military—land army, air force, and navy—is essential and urgent; and it must have a single command structure.

Economic growth for the UK is essential and urgent. We Brits need to stop dilly-dorking around, looking this way, and that. We are Europeans, and we must belong to the wonderful European Union, the club that has brought Europe peace, prosperity, and hope.

If Keir Starmer is guilty of anything, he is guilty of vacillation and indecision on the European Union. — © Mark Alexander

Does Keir Starmer Believe Actions in Venezuela Are in Breach of International Law

Starmer fails to impress! Ge is talking out of both sides of his mouth. Weak is as weak speaks! Let me say it for Starmer... It was in breach of international law and it was WRONG. VERY WRONG.

Piliers de la vie britannique, les pubs menacés par la réforme de la sécurité routière

LE FIGARO : DÉCRYPTAGE - En abaissant le taux d’alcool autorisé au volant, le gouvernement travailliste est accusé de mettre en danger les établissements ruraux, souvent déjà en proie à des difficultés économiques.

Les pubs, donc la patrie, sont en danger. L’Angleterre s’enflamme au sujet de cette sacro-sainte institution, alors que le gouvernement présente un projet de loi pour lutter contre les morts sur la route. Il prévoit notamment un abaissement du taux d’alcool autorisé au volant. La mesure mettrait en danger les pubs ruraux. La polémique fait rage et l’affaire est devenue politique, le patron de Reform UK, Nigel Farage, dénonçant l’assassinat programmé de ces piliers de la vie communautaire.

En publiant sa « Road Safety Strategy », Downing Street vante la première grande initiative de sécurité routière depuis plus de dix ans. « Elle doit permettre de sauver des milliers de vies sur les routes britanniques » assure la ministre des Transports, Heidi Alexander, qui précise que cela se fera en luttant contre la conduite en état d’ivresse, en améliorant la formation des jeunes conducteurs et en instaurant des examens de la vue obligatoires pour les conducteurs âgés de plus de 70 ans. L’objectif est de réduire de 65 % le nombre de décès et de blessures graves sur les routes d’ici à 2035, avec un objectif encore plus ambitieux de 70 % pour les enfants de moins de 16 ans. » | Par Arnaud De La Grange, correspondant à Londres | mercredi 7 janvier 2026

Réservé aux abonnés

Putain ! Encore des restrictions ! Les gouvernements travaillistes n'ont jamais su que gâcher nos joies ! Interdiction de fumer ! Interdiction de boire ! Si vous devez boire, buvez moins ! Interdiction de manger ceci ! Interdiction de faire cela ! Interdiction d'écrire ceci et cela ! Qu'on instaure une interdiction de fumer pour toutes les générations ! Qu'on interdise de fumer dans les terrasses de bars ! Les gouvernements travaillistes n'ont jamais su que tuer la joie ! Keir Starmer est un maître en la matière. Quel pays morne et déprimant est en train de devenir la Grande-Bretagne ! — © Mark Alexander

Is Starmer’s Reluctance to Criticise Trump Smart Tactics – Or the Sign of a Man Without a Plan?

THE GUARDIAN — OPINION: The PM won’t call out Trump over Venezuela, and won’t commit to Europe. His refusal to choose leaves vital choices for Britain to be made by others

For an inveterate liar, Donald Trump is remarkably honest. The best guide to what he thinks is what he says. When forecasting his likely course of action, start with his declared intentions – removing the president of Venezuela, for example – and assume he means it. When he says the US must take possession of Greenland, he is not kidding.

The motives are sometimes muddled but rarely hidden. Trump likes making deals, especially real estate deals, and money. He wants to be great and to have his greatness affirmed with praise and prizes. He craves spectacle. The world as he describes it doesn’t always resemble observable reality, but there is an effortless, sociopathic sincerity to his falsehoods. The truth is whatever he intuits it to be in the moment to advance his interests and manipulate his audience.

Trump’s freewheeling brazenness lies at the extreme end of a spectrum where the opposite pole is Keir Starmer’s verbal constipation on camera. It isn’t the most profound difference between the two men, but the contrast reveals something significant about the prime minister’s present difficulties. » | Rafael Behr | Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Is it the sign of a man without a plan? No! It’s the sign of an obsequious, fawning man without balls! — G Mark Alexander

Michael Lambert: Starmer, Trump & AI - My Predictions for 2026

Jan 3, 2026 | It seems certain that the next 12 months are going to be extraordinarily important and potentially very dangerous.

In this video I talk about:

• The liklihood that Keir Starmer will be replaced as Prime Minister and leader of the Labour party after the May council elections
• The worrying rise of Farage and what a Reform government could look like
• Why Britain still hasn’t faced the reality of Brexit
• How I believe that Donald Trump will not serve his full term and that he will soon be gone. This is because he appears to have health issues including possible cognitive decline. There may even be another impeachment in which case his support would be far from certain.
• I also talk about why AI is going to change our lives far more quickly — and more profoundly — than most people realise. I’m not making firm predictions, but I am joining the dots.


I was particularly interested in Michael Lambert’s assessment of Sir Ed Davey, because his assessment of him mirrors my own. I think he is the best politician around, and I also think that he is a thoroughly decent man. And decency is hard to find among politicians these days. I would love to see Ed Davey becoming our prime minister. But naturally, I am not holding my breath. — © Mark Alexander