Keir Starmer Reveals The 1 Topic Which He And Trump Connect Over
Keir Starmer has revealed that he and Donald Trump bond over their love of their families in a new interview.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4′s Political Thinking to mark one year since his landmark victory in the general election, the Labour prime minister claimed to have a particularly strong tie to the Republican US president.
He said: “We are different people and we’ve got different political backgrounds, and leanings.
“But we do have a good relationship, that comes from a number of different places.
“I think I understand what anchors him and what he really cares about.”
He said they spoke for the first time when Starmer rang the then-Republican candidate after he was shot at a rally last July.
“In particular, I wanted to know how it had impacted his family so that was the beginning of our relationship,” the prime minister said.
Starmer said he thinks Trump was “surprised” at the call.
But, then-President elect returned the favour after Starmer lost his brother on Boxing Day.
“We talked about my brother and he was asking about him,” the prime minister said.
Starmer said this strong personal bond helped the UK secure the first trade deal with the US after Trump unveiled a series of tariffs on foreign exports.
The prime minister also used the interview to dismiss claims that he had been too distracted on foreign affairs to deal with this week’s brewing Labour rebellion.
Starmer was forced into a humiliating, last-minute U-turn over welfare cuts, and instead had to offer late concessions just to get the bill through the Commons.
However, the PM said this “tough” period would soon be over and the government would “come through this stronger”.