Starmer, Trump and the shaky ‘special relationship’

斯塔默、特朗普与摇摇欲坠的“特殊关系”

Today in Focus

2026-03-05

26 分钟
PDF

单集简介 ...

Rafael Behr on why Donald Trump’s war on Iran presents a strategic dilemma for Keir Starmer. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
更多

单集文稿 ...

  • This is The Guardian.

  • Today, Starmer, Iran and the shaky special relationship.

  • By the way, I'm not happy with the UK either.

  • The so-called special relationship between the US and the UK has taken a bit of a battering this week.

  • Donald Trump was especially unhappy that Keir Starmer initially refused to let the Americans use British bases,

  • including one on the Chagos Islands, which are quite handy if you want to attack Iran.

  • and took a hundred year lease having to do with perhaps indigenous people claiming the island.

  • They never even saw the island before.

  • What's that all about?

  • Even though Starmer has since changed course, Trump remains in a hoof.

  • But at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday...

  • Starmer insisted that the special relationship was just fine.

  • British jets are shooting down drones and missiles to protect American lives in the Middle East on our joint bases.

  • That is the special relationship in action.

  • Sharing intelligence every day to keep our people safe.

  • That is the special relationship in action.

  • Still, Kemi Baden-Knox said he was putting himself before his country.

  • They might not like to hear it, but they are going to hear it,

  • Mr Speaker, whether they like it or not.

  • Is it not the truth that he is prioritising his job security over our national security?