Absolutely tongue firmly in cheek but he’s hanging around like a fly around a
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France’s debt to GDP ratio is nowhere near the worst it’s just heading in the wrong direction. I think that the level of personal debt to GDP is much more important and this makes the UK economy far more fragile than most other countries. Here I’m just echoing the thoughts of an Australian economist who was head of the LSE. Maybe he’s still there but I forget his name
There was a lot of work done behind the scenes by the UK’s national security adviser Jonathan Powell, who was also greatly involved in securing the Good Friday Agreement. He also worked on assisting negotiations between the Spanish government and the Basque terrorist group ETA, as well as helping to end the FARC insurrection in Colombia, a 50-year conflict.
So while Starmer himself cannot take credit, the UK’s role was not negligible, as has been acknowledged publicly by the US chief negotiator Steve Witkoff.
And all of them (including E. Macron and my second-cousin twice removed) did a lot more than Donald Trump, who is of course taking all the credit for the ceasefire and hostage/prisoner exchange.
The UK does a lot of things badly, but is still quite good at low-key diplomacy.
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Yes, but not so easy to use.
Reminds me of the film Bridge of Spies and the work done behind the scenes by James Donovan who sounds like a formidable negotiator.
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Would it have hurt to have Jonathan Powell standing next to Trump, I know it’s usual for management to take the credit for others hard work but ……a gesture of goodwill from Starmer.
Trump will always take as much credit as possible.
Former Biden official on President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza : NPR
That’s not how protocol works and could easily have been taken as disrespectful by the US side.
Explain protocol, in this context. I would in reality feel much better without the BS and Trump could be thanking negotiators on stage, now that would be a great leader.
Aside, although not a trump fan he did drive this plan forward, obviously for US gain because that is how they do it, not for human or philanthropy
The organ grinders have primacy and the monkeys stay in the background. Even if it was desirable to Starmer, Trump wants the leaders alongside him, not the worker bees.
Trump is many things but he’s not one of those, unless you mean in the North Korean sense
Nicely played.
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As is often the case. You have made mention of my management style previously. I have presented members of my team to the board and explained how they have achieved XYZ. As the manager I just have to choose the right team not necessarily be the best negotiator etc for the task. That is how I do it. What a shame these big men cannot do the same, possibly because they are actually small minded and shallow?
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Trump certainly is but I don’t get the same sense from Starmer. Having said that, quite often the entourage is more sticky on such things than the principal.
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But you have a solid work contract? And are not reliant on persuading people to vote for you?
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Even as a contractor, it’s a team effort, I choose the team and great if we win through but even if we don’t, still a team. Sometimes we fail a few times in order to succeed another. Trying to take credit all the time just makes you look stupid, one of the reasons we all think Trump is stupid.
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Hello Jane, apparently they do. The order can be placed on the UK site and it will detect from your delivery address in France the correct shipping charge. Or so I’m assured. Here’s the link again. Memorize French! : Middlemiss M.A., Mr Nigel Marcus Gladson: Amazon.co.uk: Books Wishing you good luck if you decide to get it. The royalties (about £3 per copy) will go to my grandchildren. You can read the site owner / admin Cat’s review too.