I haven’t said much this evening, because I think I don’t need to say much. Hopefully, now people understand what I meant about leaders offering real solidarity, rather than just displaying it on social media like a badge. Nanight
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Rivalries aside, I think there's validity on both sides. A tweet costs nothing and silence can be conspicuous. Having this visit in plan, or grabbing the opportunity, enabled Starmer to not have to comment publicly last night. But Starmer appears to have done very well with what's in front of him.
A tweet isn't as good as an official statement! Some people last night needed to grow up. Starmer isn't perfect. But it's obvious he doesn't conduct diplomacy by tweet. He's old school! It's about time people cut him some slack given the difficult situation. As far as I'm concerned he's been fine.
I said there was validity in anticipating a public statement in line with other leaders. That one did take a while to filter out via the BBC. For a short while, when yes people were being quite emotional about it all, the lack of visible statement did stand out.
And that, in hindsight, Starmer has responded well and much more effectively than just a public statement. But the emotions were valid at the time although publishing them was perhaps premature. I think that stems from Starmer being too slow and too safe previously. This week he has done well.
my wider point is why a tweet on a site owned by a fascist ? they should all walk from it ? those on here calling for a tweet, well I just shake my head !!
I just think sometimes we need to take a collective breath and think whether what we demand could force an error. We saw it in the pandemic. Coercing speed and certainty from scientists unsure of all the facts, resulted in volte-faces that shook confidence. Deliberation does not equal equivocation.
It all became very tiring didn’t it. So many wish against our PM and can’t wait for him to fail. He is a proper person, an advocate. He will do his duty.
Um. Are you saying all those who posted their support yesterday were just virtue signalling? Keir is hosting, the others aren't. It's not a bloody competition.
That's a stretch. "I question the optics". "Perhaps people want to see". As opposed to your belittling of other politicians and officials who posted their support.
I didn’t belittle anyone. I said I would rather have a leader who considers things, talks to both sides, and expresses their position in a measured way, rather than raising the temperature. I did not subscribe to the “his silence is deafening” nonsense going around and got attacked as an “appeaser”.
Tweeting isn't political messaging, it's beyond ridiculous that Starmer got criticised for not tweeting when he spent the say making phones calls, including a call to Zelensky.
Re. your QR comments on the trivial gotcha culture of British journalism – Beth Rigby asked Keir Starmer the first post London Summit question and it fitted your analysis perfectly in its self-serving irrelevance.
"Given that it has become an unreliable ally, do you think you really need the US?"
Yep, I posted that the coolest thing Keir could do would be to cancel the state visit and also, that he should join other leaders in reaffirming his support on social media even though there was no doubting his resoluteness. But yesterday's visit said infinitely more and he is now, imo, the broker.
Those saying he made things worse on Thursday in Washington have completely lost the plot - a few of them should know better. A few too many hot heads around
Diplomacy is an art not a science. Overall Starmer is getting it right imo
As somebody who reviews history, it tends to repeat itself. With “Leon“ supporting Germany’s far Alt right, slump dismantling of our democracy.
Republican leaders should look back at the Nuremberg trials, complicity isn’t the answer.
One prominent commentator lauded, then following the WH debacle, ripped into Starmer for the Trump visit and is now praising him for the Zelenskyy meeting at 10 Downing Street.
It’s all the same politician and would all have been wargamed by Number 10.
Unfortunately they are part of the problem. And the reason that the media/commentators are not respected/believed. They make it easy for the ‘It’s fake news’ loons.
Don’t worry there will be something else to bash him over the head with tomorrow and it will be as tiresome as it always is.However let’s just relish and reflect on the fact that the PM of the UK actually sounds and acts like a statesman and thank the Gods it isn’t one of the past four PM’s.
I must admit I was waiting for the UK response to come through in the socials after Friday with disappointment after seeing all the posts in solidarity, but honestly Starmer played a blinding hand by welcoming Pres Z in person, categorically stating our long term commitment. Powerful stuff 💙💛🇺🇦
It's quite possible Starmer wouldn't have invited Zelenskyy to No. 10 without the public support offered by so many European leaders (on social media), he had to do something to stay relevant in the discussion.
And the British response: ‘Britain announced it was extending a 2.26 billion pound ($4.5 billion) loan to Kyiv for military procurement, with the money coming from the profits on frozen Russian assets.‘
THAT is how you help an invaded country.
Make the aggressor pay!
Fully accept now that getting words & moments like this into the headlines (not only the warm words & embrace, but the obvious displays of public support) was worth a thousand tweets.
The West’s hard job will be replacing 🇺🇸support with a White House veering from flaky/inconsistent to antagonistic.
Must admit - top trolling by Starmer… After Trump made such a fanfare of his invitation from the King, but then Trump shat on Zelenskyy…. Starmer arranging Zelenskyy to land at Stansted and meet Charles the very next day sends Trump a very clear message of UK support for Zelenskyy / Ukraine.
Comments
(OK it’s not a fecking tweet, but come on!)
I said there was validity in anticipating a public statement in line with other leaders. That one did take a while to filter out via the BBC. For a short while, when yes people were being quite emotional about it all, the lack of visible statement did stand out.
I was more vexed by the implication (not yours, I’m sure) that not panicking was instantly a form of appeasement.
https://bsky.app/profile/whutnext.bsky.social/post/3lj52c4qkms2x
"Given that it has become an unreliable ally, do you think you really need the US?"
Those saying he made things worse on Thursday in Washington have completely lost the plot - a few of them should know better. A few too many hot heads around
Diplomacy is an art not a science. Overall Starmer is getting it right imo
Republican leaders should look back at the Nuremberg trials, complicity isn’t the answer.
It’s all the same politician and would all have been wargamed by Number 10.
Nunnite
It's quite possible Starmer wouldn't have invited Zelenskyy to No. 10 without the public support offered by so many European leaders (on social media), he had to do something to stay relevant in the discussion.
THAT is how you help an invaded country.
Make the aggressor pay!
(a sincere take from this insomiac))
The West’s hard job will be replacing 🇺🇸support with a White House veering from flaky/inconsistent to antagonistic.