Is Keir Starmer's alliance with Donald Trump becoming his Achilles' heel?
1 hour ago
Laura Kuenssberg, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, BBC
"Keir can't be the last gasp of the dying world order," a minister warns, capturing the tension as the UK navigates a global landscape reshaped by Donald Trump's assertive leadership. While domestic challenges have dominated headlines, Downing Street's foreign policy has largely been viewed as a success—until now. As Trump's global interventions escalate, particularly in Venezuela and Greenland, Starmer's opponents are seizing the opportunity to turn one of his few strengths into a liability.
But here's where it gets controversial... Starmer's closeness to Trump has long raised eyebrows, especially among Labour's left wing. This unease isn't new; it echoes historical skepticism of the "special relationship," from Blair's Iraq War alignment with Bush to Thatcher's camaraderie with Reagan. For Starmer, this relationship is transactional: royal invitations and concessions to US tech giants have secured support for Ukraine. Yet, as one Labour MP puts it, "The unavoidable cost of doing business" may now outweigh the benefits.
So far, Starmer's strategy has paid off, with advisers like Jonathan Powell hailed as masterminds. But a senior Labour MP warns of "being linked to the madness" of Trump's unpredictability. Starmer risks accusations of weakness from both sides, compounded by the looming question of defense spending. Traditionally, the opposition aligns with the government on foreign policy, but this is the part most people miss: in 2026, Kemi Badenoch is breaking that mold.
Badenoch, increasingly emboldened, criticized Starmer in the Commons for his delayed response to the Venezuela strike and his secrecy over the France-Ukraine troop deal. Her team believes she's undermined his foreign policy credibility, and the Conservatives are likely to amplify this narrative. But the question lingers: What would Badenoch do differently? Would she secure a better Ukraine peace deal or escalate actions against Russia's shadow fleet, like the recent Marinera tanker seizure? The opposition's role is to critique, not act, yet Badenoch's attacks resonate.
And this is where it gets even more contentious... The Lib Dems, nearly neck-and-neck with Labour in some polls, are also targeting Starmer's foreign policy. Their leader, Ed Davey, gained traction on Instagram with his Venezuela comments, signaling public interest. A senior Lib Dem source notes, "Starmer is so closely hitched to Trump there's a growing risk it's damaging—and it works on the doors." Labour voters, often anti-Trump but pro-NATO, are conflicted.
The Greens are capitalizing on this discontent too, with a senior source criticizing Starmer's "egging on" of Trump. Inside Labour, left-wing MPs question the government's silence on Venezuela and the Marinera seizure. Even Starmer's allies worry his diplomatic approach lacks political bite, leaving him vulnerable to attacks from all sides.
Yet, amid global turmoil, challenging Starmer's leadership seems self-serving. Stability within Labour becomes more appealing as Trump's rollercoaster foreign policy creates opportunities for opponents. Reform UK, Labour's main rival, struggles on foreign policy, making it an easier target than immigration.
But here's the bigger question... As global instability rises, how much more should taxpayers spend on defense? The government has pledged historic increases, but insiders doubt it's enough. Defense Secretary John Healey insists otherwise, yet cuts to capabilities persist. Trump's recent actions—strikes in Venezuela, ambitions for Greenland—heighten the urgency. Are politicians leveling with the public about the sacrifices needed?
Traditionally, foreign policy doesn’t sway voters, but opposition parties are eager to change that. Could 2026 be the year foreign policy takes center stage? As one source notes, "People want competent foreign handling, but it’s not what they vote on—unless something truly exceptional happens." With Trump’s unpredictability, that exception may be closer than we think.
Top image credit: Getty Images
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