Starmer vs Trump: King's bid to save the special relationship

·50 min·4 clips

Keir Starmer calls Donald Trump in a desperate bid to save the special relationship after Trump's public criticism.

The episode opens by framing a crisis in the 'special relationship' after Donald Trump publicly criticized Keir Starmer as weak and disappointing. The hosts speculate on the tense phone call between the two leaders. They discuss the succession in Iran, noting the new Ayatollah is the son of the previous one, making the regime more dynastic and hardline. The conversation turns to Trump's Truth Social post declaring Britain's support 'too little, too late.' The hosts debate whether the UK's refusal to allow use of its airbases was a principled stand or incompetence, given advance warning of the operation. Tony Blair's leaked comments are analyzed, where he argued Britain should have backed America from the start as the US is an indispensable security ally. This leads to a broader discussion on whether the 'special relationship' is overvalued, especially on the British right. The hosts explore internal UK politics, suggesting Starmer was leaning towards allowing base use but was talked out of it by cabinet members like Ed Miliband. They link this to Starmer's shifting political positioning and the appointment of an 'Islamophobia czar.' The discussion touches on Nigel Farage's failed attempt to meet Trump and Reform UK's cautious stance on the war. A segment covers controversial protests in London, with criticism of chants and banners deemed anti-Semitic. The episode then pivots to the economic consequences, introducing an interview with Tyler Goodspeed, former economic advisor to Trump. Goodspeed explains how the closure of the Strait of Hormuz could affect 20% of global oil supply, driving up prices. He compares the situation to the 1979 oil shock that damaged Jimmy Carter's presidency. Goodspeed critiques UK energy policy, stating Britain has the world's highest industrial electricity prices due to policy choices like carbon budgets and renewable subsidies, making it vulnerable. He discusses his book 'Recession,' arguing economic expansions are 'murdered' by shocks like energy supply disruptions. The interview concludes with Goodspeed's analysis of Trump's second-term administration and the political risks for the upcoming US midterms.

As heard by us

A sharp, unruly episode linking Starmer's Trump call, Iran, energy politics, and the King's Washington visit.

The Daily T frames Keir Starmer's urgent call to Donald Trump against the King's looming Washington visit, using that pressure point to test what the special relationship still means.

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Want to hear whether Starmer can steady the special relationship before the King's imminent Washington visit?

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