Trump says he is “very sad” that the UK‑US partnership “is not what it was”
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of UK politics. President Donald Trump said he feels “very sad” to observe that the UK‑US partnership “is not what it was” after he criticised Keir Starmer for taking “far too long” to permit US forces to use British airfields for strikes on Iran.
In a telephone interview with The Sun’s political editor Harry Cole, Trump remarked:
“It is a different world, indeed. The relationship we have with your country has changed markedly. It is very sad to see that the partnership is clearly not what it once was.”
Speaking to The Sun from the White House on Monday evening, Trump contrasted Starmer’s stance with France’s support for the attacks and with the backing of NATO secretary‑general Mark Rutte.
“He has not been helpful. I never expected that. I never expected that from the UK. We love the UK,” he added.
In an unusual departure from Washington’s usual foreign‑policy line, Starmer said on Monday that the UK does not endorse “regime change from the skies,” defending his decision to refuse the use of British bases for the initial wave of strikes.
The prime minister, however, said the situation shifted on Sunday when Iran’s “outrageous” retaliation became a threat to British citizens and allies.
He has now consented to the US request to employ British military bases for “defensive” strikes on Iranian missile sites.
Tory minister Kemi Badenoch accused the government of being “too scared” to adopt a firmer posture toward Iran.
We will concentrate on the UK political response to the rapid developments in the Israel‑US conflict with Iran today, as the fighting spreads across the region with Israeli forces launching fresh attacks on Tehran and Beirut.
The foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, and her department’s ministers will face oral questions in the House of Commons from 11.30 a.m. today. We will relay the key exchanges as they occur.
Spring statement to be delivered amid turmoil in financial markets caused by Iran war
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to claim later today that she has rebuilt the nation’s public finances so they can endure economic shocks as she delivers the spring statement.
With the US‑Israel war on Iran continuing to disrupt production and supplies, Reeves is likely to outline why she believes her plan is the most suitable for a world “that has become yet more uncertain”.
Economists have warned that soaring global energy prices resulting from the expanding conflict could jeopardise the chancellor’s agenda.
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