Political Fix

Trump trouble: Starmer's tricky start to 2026

27 snips
Jan 9, 2026
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INSIGHT

Starmer's Year One Was Hijacked

  • Keir Starmer intended a domestic focus to fix poor polls but was forced onto international crisis management.
  • Early 2026 events shifted his agenda from cost-of-living to handling Trump-driven foreign policy shocks.
INSIGHT

UK Played Support Role In Tanker Seizure

  • The US led the Marinera tanker seizure while the UK provided bases, spy-planes and support near Iceland and Scotland.
  • David Sheppard says UK assistance bought goodwill and signalled joint resistance to Russia while securing US backing on Ukraine.
INSIGHT

Pragmatism Over Principle On Venezuela

  • Whitehall prioritised keeping US focus on Ukraine over vocally condemning US action in Venezuela.
  • Miranda Green argues Britain chose pragmatic restraint because Maduro is unpopular and UK leverage was limited.
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