Keir Starmer has always been more comfortable abroad than at home.
Yet as he attends the final day of the G7 summit of world leaders in the French spa town of Évian-les-Bains, there is a paradox: the arena in which he is strongest is also the one now exposing how far his authority has slipped.
He is also deliberately using what could be his last appearance as Prime Minister on the world stage to bank his legacy as events at home threaten to overtake him.
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Caption: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – MAY 19: Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Emma Reynolds arrives in Downing Street to attend the weekly Cabinet meeting in London, United Kingdom on May 19, 2026. (Photo by Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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nEWS
Minister’s warning about £10bn Thames Water rescue bid
The Environment Secretary has written to regulator Ofwat to object to a £10bn Thames Water rescue deal over concerns it poses an “unfair cost to customers”.
Emma Reynolds’s stance has cast doubts over the future of the deal, but she said her views “should not be taken as, nor do they constitute, a direction from Government to Ofwat”.
Concerns over the deal
Reynolds said the 16 million Thames Water customers are front and centre of her consideration. She is worried about the impact the proposed deal would have on them.
“There is an expectation in the proposal for customers to fund and therefore bear an undue cost for investment in the company,” she said.
She warned the proposals would mean delays to required environmental improvements of wastewater treatment facilities and projects that were important for drinking water safety.
Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins said the Government should be wary of scaring off potential investors.
Atkins warned that if no deal were reached Thames Water could collapse “at enormous cost to taxpayers”.
‘Confident about our plan’
We are confident that our plan is by far the fastest route to improve outcomes for customers and the environment, without any Government funding or any cost to taxpayers.
A spokesman for London & Valley Water, the bidding consortium that has proposed injecting £10bn into Thames Water
Why is the firm in hot water?
Thames Water – Britain’s biggest water supplier – is fast running out of cash and said to be facing collapse within months if a deal is not forthcoming.
The utility firm has also faced a series of hefty fines for its poor environmental performance in recent years.
Caption: File photo dated 22/8/2025 of a Thames Water van. Thames Water is among six water companies to have blocked bonus payouts to bosses over serious pollution incidents and other performance issues. More than ?4 million of potential bonuses were banned under new rules on performance-related executive pay, regulator Ofwat said. Issue date: Wednesday November 5, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire
Photographer: Yui Mok
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Save Britain’s Rivers
5 min read
WORLD NEWS
Petrol could drop by 8p within a fortnight – if Trump’s deal holds
Rocketing prices for petrol and diesel have been the most obvious consequence of the Iran crisis (Photo: Reuters)
Caption: Cahal Milmo
i byline
At the heart of the expected signing on Friday of the US peace agreement with Tehran is the quid pro quo for Gulf countries, and the rest of the world, that would see the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz – the maritime chokepoint whose closure has throttled a substantial portion of the world’s supply of oil, gas and other vital commodities.
Pump prices set to fall
Just as rocketing prices for petrol and diesel have been the most obvious consequence of the Iran crisis, there are grounds for expecting that a fall in what drivers pay at the pump will be among the first dividends of a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Motoring organisation the RAC said it expects the price of petrol to fall from its current average of 156p per litre to 148p within the next fortnight, and diesel to similarly fall from 177p to below 160p.
The question remains of when, or even if, the costs being borne by motorists will return to their pre-war levels of 132p for petrol and 141p for diesel, based on an oil price of $70 per barrel.
50%
In Britain, farmers have had to deal with a rise in fertiliser prices of between 50 per cent and 70 per cent, hitting greenhouse and arable operations.
Roughly a third of global fertiliser needs, in particular ammonia and urea, passes through the Gulf and its interruption has forced growers around the world to either seek alternative supplies at higher prices or simply use less of the chemicals
While fluctuations in oil prices tend to be reflected in consumer costs within a fortnight, the effect on food prices takes longer to manifest itself.
There are concerns that food inflation will rise steadily and hit 9 per cent by the end of the year.
Air travel and holidays
Roughly a fifth of global aviation fuel supply – and about 40 per cent of that required by Europe – originates in the Gulf.
This led to concerns early in the war of swingeing price rises and even shortages imperiling summer holidays.
Caption: Passengers at the departures hall of Terminal 5 at London Heathrow Airport in London, UK, on Monday, July 14, 2025. London??Heathrow??Airport??plans to invest ??10 billion ($13.6 billion) over the next five years to upgrade its terminals and services after the dominant UK hub slipped in global airport rankings. Photographer: Jason Alden/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Photographer: Bloomberg
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While airlines have cut schedules and increased the cost of tickets, the doomsday scenario of summer getaway cancellations due to fuel availability is now not expected to materialise.
Look out for bargains
Experts warn that the resumption of supplies from the Gulf will not precipitate a fall in ticket prices. However, Bryan Terry, managing director of Alton Aviation Consultancy, said a returning sense of “optimism” in the sector is likely to see some carriers dashing to capitalise on a return of demand by restraining or cutting prices to gain passengers.
Caption: A passanger jet prepares to land at London Gatwick Airport, near Crawley, southern England, on April 20, 2026. British no-frills airline EasyJet on Thursday April 16, said it expects to post a deeper first-half loss compared with one year earlier after the Middle East war sent jet fuel prices soaring. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: BEN STANSALL
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Source: AFP
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NEWS
3 min read
What else has been affected?
The US-Iran conflict has also had ramifications for a range of obscure products which are nonetheless vital ingredients for everyday goods and services from medicines to consumer durables.
Photographer: Tom Merton
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Source: OJO Images RF
Caption: Shelves in retail pharmacy containing various skin creams and gels (Photo by Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Photographer: UniversalImagesGroup
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Source: Universal Images Group Editorial
Experts have warned that the loss of helium supplies from Gulf countries, where Qatar alone provided as much as 38 per cent of global production, will have impacts on a number of high-tech sectors. Pharmacies have reported price rises of up to 30 per cent for common remedies such as paracetamol and hay fever tablets.
Caption: LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 10: Katy Fox, Sarah Fay, Nick Mohammed, Celia Imrie, Mike Cotton, Claudia Winkleman, Paloma Faith, Alan Carr, Stephen Lambert, Lewis Thurlow, Cat Burns and Ben Archard accept the Reality Award for ‘The Celebrity Traitors’ onstage during the 2026 BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises at The Royal Festival Hall on May 10, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA)
Photographer: Jeff Spicer/BAFTA
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Source: BAFTA
Copyright: 2026 Getty Images
ENTERTAINMENT
Traitors set to West End debut
The UK version of the reality series The Traitors has formed the basis of a new West End show, four years after it was first broadcast by the BBC.
The show’s creators have teased the elements that gave the TV series its most dramatic moments will be replicated on stage, but that the show will offer audiences a look at The Traitors in a “way they have never seen before”.
How will the show work on stage?
Titled The Traitors – Acts of Betrayal, the show will feature a cycle of five brand new plays, which have been written by John Finnemore and directed by Robert Hastie.
The format means audiences can see what happens in different situations and if somebody else is chosen as a traitor.
From Monday to Friday the story begins identically but ends in five different ways. But on Saturdays the audience will be handed control on who will wear the cloak.
“For those who go and see one version of it, they will still have a very enjoyable time,” the show’s executive producer Stephen Lambert.
Those who do return will get a 360-degree understanding of the characters, Finnemore said.
When does the show start?
The Traitors – Acts of Betrayal will run at the Gillian Lynne Theatre from 11 May, 2027. Tickets, which are now on sale, start at £25.
Analysis
4 min read
LIFESTYLE
3 min read
Entertaining characters
The challenge is to ensure that each play is satisfying in its own right, and I think John [Finnemore] has done a brilliant job of that. He’s created fictional characters who are very rich and entertaining and interesting, and as a group are wonderful. We also learn probably more about them than we do the contestants on the show.
Stephen Lambert, executive producer
Caption: LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 10: Alan Carr with the P&O Cruises Memorable Moment Award for The Celebrity Traitors during the 2026 BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises at The Royal Festival Hall on May 10, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA)
Photographer: Stuart Wilson/BAFTA
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Copyright: 2026 Getty Images
News
The far right are promoting Restore and undermining Farage
Caption: Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe (R) speaks to people as they campaign ahead of the Makerfield by-election on June 18, west of Manchester, north-west England on June 13, 2026. (Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: PETER POWELL
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Source: AFP
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In online chat groups, white nationalists, neo-Nazis and far-right activists are fired up. Those normally indifferent or outright hostile to parliamentary politics are putting their hope in Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain.
His online popularity has earned Lowe a vocal group of supporters from across Britain that means Restore is now seen as a genuine threat to Nigel Farage and Reform UK. In Makerfield, it could cost the party the by-election, some observers believe.
Lowe hailed as ‘saviour of nation’
At least three rival far-right political parties have declared support for Restore, with one leader hailing Lowe as “the saviour of this nation”. Several high-profile activists, including white nationalists who have been banned from entering the UK on security grounds, have been praising Restore to their millions of online followers.
Caption: A campaign placard for the Restore Britain political party is displayed outside a residential property, ahead of the Makerfield by-election, in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Britain, June 9, 2026. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja
Photographer: Temilade Adelaja
Provider: REUTERS
Source: REUTERS
POLITICS
5 min read
A closer look at the figures
13%
An internal Labour Party poll conducted in Makerfield, and seen by The i Paper, suggested that Restore could significantly dent support for Reform, with 13 per cent of people saying they would vote for Lowe’s candidate, behind Farage’s party on 24 per cent and Labour on 35 per cent.
Reform still holds a healthy lead in national polling, with recent BMG polling putting Farage’s party eight points ahead of Labour.
However, some voters in Makerfield have become dissatisfied with Reform, believing that Farage has become a part of the political establishment.
Party seen as far-right’s ‘best hope’
There’s a sense that, in a way that Farage was seen not to, Lowe seems to talk the talk and walk the walk.
The aesthetics and the general vibes of Restore are much more in line with what these groups want.
Sid Venkataramakrishnan, analyst at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue
Caption: MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM – 2026/04/18: Paul Golding, the leader of Britain First, made a speech in St. Peter’s Square, Manchester, following a city centre march by the far-right group. Anti fascist supporters were kept apart from the Britain First march and demonstration by police, including mounted police. Paul Golding, the leader of Britain First, made a speech in St. Peter’s Square, Manchester, following a city centre march by the far-right group. Anti-fascist groups formed counter-protests along the route. Police struggled to keep the opposing groups apart. Paul Golding, the leader of Britain First, made a speech following a speech by co-leader Ashlea Simon. Golding demanded the repatriation of immigrants and the execution, as traitors, of political figures, including the Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Britain First supporters carried England flags and shouted abuse at the counter protesters, who included members from Stand Up to Racism. Manchester Council had paid for displays for Manchester to stand against hate throughout the city. (Photo by Gary Roberts/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Photographer: SOPA Images
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Caption: HAYTOR, ENGLAND – JANUARY 31: A Dartmoor Pony is seen at Dartmoor National Park on January 31, 2023 in Haytor, England. The right to wild camp in England and Wales has been lost after wealthy landowner Alexander Darwall won a court case against Dartmoor National Park, the last place it was possible to camp without seeking permission. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)
Photographer: Harry Trump
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ENVIRONMENT
Why Dartmoor ponies could be culled under biodiversity plans
The iconic Dartmoor ponies have roamed the rugged moorlands of Devon for thousands of years.
But now, these residents of Dartmoor National Park could disappear as a result of a controversial ruling by Natural England.
The background
Dartmoor ponies have been roaming their homeland of the Dartmoor hills for centuries. Archaeologists have found hoof prints in the area dating back around 3,500 years ago.
Caption: Dartmoor Ponies on Dartmoor, Devon, 20th century. A horse breed that has lived in south western England for centuries. Because of extreme weather conditions on the moors, the Dartmoor is a particularly hardy breed with excellent stamina. (Photo by CM Dixon/Heritage Images/Getty Images)
Photographer: Heritage Images
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Source: Hulton Archive
Caption: PRINCETOWN, ENGLAND – MAY 17: A Dartmoor Hill pony foal runs with its mother on the moor on Dartmoor on May 17, 2011 in Princetown England. Although a tourist attraction, especially during the foaling season and often seen as part of the landscape of Dartmoor, many ponies face an uncertain future due to unsustainable breeding and their falling market values. The charity South West Equine Protection estimates that last year 1500 ponies were slaughtered – with many being sold for lion meat to nearby zoos. Along with other equine charities, they are calling for the removal of stallions from the moor to bring numbers down to sustainable levels. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Photographer: Matt Cardy
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Source: Getty Images Europe
Copyright: 2011 Getty Images
The species was classed as endangered by the United Nations in 2023 and also listed on the Government’s list of native species at risk. They are one of England’s last semi-wild pony herds. Other wild pony breeds are found in nearby Exmoor and in the New Forest.
Why are they now at risk?
Natural England has demanded that all livestock grazing on the moor is reduced by about 75 per cent to protect other habitats, plants and species, according to The Times.
The move could result in the culling of up to nine in 10 of the semi-wild ponies as farmers prioritise their own livestock. The cull could begin as soon as this autumn.
MEDIA
4 min read
WORLD
3 min read
Natural England is putting ponies in direct competition with commercial livestock who pay the farmers’ bills. Their plans disregard the scientific evidence and could decimate an endangered species that has been a feature of the landscape for over 4,500 years.
Joss Hibbs, secretary of the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association told the times
Caption: PRINCETOWN, ENGLAND – MAY 17: A Dartmoor Hill pony foal runs on the moor on Dartmoor on May 17, 2011 in Princetown England. Although a tourist attraction, especially during the foaling season and often seen as part of the landscape of Dartmoor, many ponies face an uncertain future due to unsustainable breeding and their falling market values. The charity South West Equine Protection estimates that last year 1500 ponies were slaughtered – with many being sold for lion meat to nearby zoos. Along with other equine charities, they are calling for the removal of stallions from the moor to bring numbers down to sustainable levels. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Photographer: Matt Cardy
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Source: Getty Images Europe
Copyright: 2011 Getty Images
Natural England’s defence
Caption: Dartmoor ponies (Photo by: myLoupe/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Photographer: MyLoupe
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Source: Universal Images Group Editorial
Copyright: Nik Taylor
Natural England has argued the move is necessary to protect the diversity of Dartmoor.
“Our role is to provide evidence-based advice on how to protect and restore designated habitats,” they said.
TELEVISION
4 min read
NEWS
Bonnie Tyler remains ‘very unwell’ in ICU
Caption: MADRID, SPAIN – JULY 30: Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler performs on stage at Push Play music festival at Hipodromo de Madrid on July 30, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Aldara Zarraoa/Redferns)
Photographer: Aldara Zarraoa
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Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler is “no longer in a coma” but remains “very unwell” in intensive care, according to a post on her official website.
The 75-year-old was taken to a hospital near to her home in Faro, Portugal for emergency intestinal surgery earlier this month, and had been placed in an induced coma to aid her recovery.
Which shows have been cancelled?
All Tyler’s remaining shows for this summer have been cancelled or postponed.
Caption: (FILES) Britain’s Bonnie Tyler performs during the finals of the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest on May 18, 2013. Husky-voiced Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler will turn 75 on June 8, 2026. (Photo by John MACDOUGALL / AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: JOHN MACDOUGALL
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Caption: File photo dated 02/05/13 of Bonnie Tyler during the filming of the Graham Norton Show at The London Studios, south London. The Total Eclipse of the Heart singer said she had visited Russia “many times” before and revealed that Mr Putin was in the front row during one of her performances. The 72-year-old toured the country before the breakup of the Soviet Union as well and said it was “very strange.” Issue date: Wednesday May 1, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ Tyler. Photo credit should read: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
Photographer: Dominic Lipinski
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Source: PA
Concerts scheduled for autumn have not been changed yet, and in a statement her representatives said they were still hopeful these could go ahead. She is booked to perform in Cardiff on 17 December.
Doctors confident of ‘good recovery’
Although her condition is improving it is a slow process. Her doctors remain confident that she will make a good recovery but it is going to take time.
A statement from tyler’s family and team
Caption: (FILES) British singer Gaynor Sullivan aka Bonnie Tyler poses with her medal after being appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on February 1, 2023. Husky-voiced Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler was “recuperating” on May 7, 2026 after emergency intestinal surgery in Portugal. (Photo by Andrew Matthews / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: ANDREW MATTHEWS
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Source: AFP
Giant of 1980s pop/rock
Tyler – real name Gaynor Hopkins – from Neath in South Wales, is recognisable for her husky voice and operatic soft-rock sound.
She achieved international fame in the 1980s, with the release of her hit single Total Eclipse Of The Heart, which shot to the top of the charts in the UK and US.
Tyler has released many other hit songs over the years, including Holding Out For A Hero and It’s A Heartache.
She was made an MBE in 2023 for her services to music, featuring in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Prince George to
study at Eton from September
Prince George will attend Eton College from the autumn, following in the footsteps of his father the Prince of Wales, Kensington Palace has said.
Caption: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – JUNE 14: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Prince William, Prince of Wales (Colonel of the Welsh Guards), Prince Louis of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte of Wales watch an RAF flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after attending Trooping The Colour 2025 on June 14, 2025 in London, England. Trooping the Colour, also known as The King’s Birthday Parade, is a military ceremony to mark the official birthday of the British Sovereign. The ceremony, which takes place at Horse Guards Parade followed by a flypast over Buckingham Palace, was first performed in the mid-17th century during the reign of King Charles II. The parade features all seven regiments of the Household Division with Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards being the regiment this year having their Colour Trooped. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Photographer: Max Mumby/Indigo
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Source: Getty Images Europe
What you need to know
George, 12, who made an appearance with his family at the Trooping the Colour ceremony at the weekend, will be a pupil at the school which educated William and his brother, the Duke of Sussex.
OPINION
3 min read
Explained
4 min read
Where has George been educated so far?
The young prince is currently studying at Lambrook School, the private prep school in Berkshire where he boards. It is also attended by his siblings, Princess Charlotte, 11, and eight-year-old Prince Louis.
Caption: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis have posted a Father’s Day tribute to their father, Prince William, in their first social media post.
The post, external reads: “We love you, Papa. Happy Father’s Day”, followed by two red hearts.
In the picture, taken by Catherine, the Princess of Wales, William can be seen standing on a beach with his arms round his children, looking out to sea.
Kensington Palace said it was taken on a trip to the Norfolk coast last month.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C8Rb1TRtNnh
https://www.instagram.com/princeandprincessofwales
princeandprincessofwales
We love you, Papa. Happy Father?s Day G, C & L
The Princess of Wales, 2024
Caption: Britain’s Prince George of Wales (C) walks behind Britain’s Camilla, Queen Consort (L) and Britain’s King Charles III as they arrive for the Royal Family’s traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, eastern England, on December 25, 2022. (Photo by Daniel LEAL / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: DANIEL LEAL
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Source: AFP
William and the Princess of Wales were reportedly spotted touring Eton with their eldest son in 2023, fuelling speculation the school was high on their list of places to send George.
A closer look at the detail
Caption: Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales, and Prince George attend the “Together At Christmas” carol service at Westminster Abbey, in London, Britain, December 5, 2025. Aaron Chown/Pool via REUTERS
Photographer: Aaron Chown
Provider: via REUTERS
Source: Pool
It is not known if George will board at Eton, but the college is only a few miles from the Waleses’ Forest Lodge home at Windsor.
The press were allowed to record William’s first day at Eton with his parents Charles and Diana, as the new pupil signed in on 6 September, 1995.
NEWS
4 min read
How to resolve the biggest rows that can end marriages
Private school, sex and housework can be some of the biggest causes of tension between warring couples.
Mike Talbot, a psychologist, and chief executive of UK Mediation [below], reveals how to fix them.
What couples row over
Parenting and schooling
Young couple having an argument. Woman is angry with man. – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Psychologist Mike Talbot says parenting can expose ideological differences in a couple. He encourages people to listen to each other, and find a “third way”, something that they come up with between themselves, rather than sticking to one person’s opinion.
OPINION
3 min read
Money (or a lifestyle)
Caption: A mature couple sitting in bed and looking at each other angrily after a disagreement
Photographer: kupicoo
Provider: Getty Images
Source: iStockphoto
It’s common for couples to disagree on their property or finances.
Couples might have different ideas about what the best plan of action is for the future.
Dr Talbot says its important to find “common ground” on what both parties wish for, or worry about.
Agony Uncle
5 min read
Incompatibilities around sex
Dr Talbot has seen this when one person loses their sex drive. “It can happen when the couples get older, and she loses her sex drive during menopause, whereas the guy’s still as randy as he was when he was 20.”
Caption: Young couple having relationship difficulties at home. Both about 25 years old, Caucasian people.
Photographer: GoodLifeStudio
Provider: Getty Images
Source: E+
Copyright: DAMIR MIHAJLOVIC
Caption: Millennial black lady vacuuming floor while her husband watching TV, not helping her with household duties, cropped view. Unrecognizable young couple having problem with domestic chores
Photographer: Prostock-Studio
Provider: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Source: iStockphoto
Domestic workload
We get people disagreeing about how tidy the house should be, how neatly dressed the kids should be…
This goes back to the gender stereotypes.
The solution is to focus on value and to get the couple to think about the conflict in a different way.
This includes helping to secure a lasting peace in the Middle East and Ukraine, and establishing a closer relationship with the European Union.
Starmer welcomed the news on Tuesday that a second UK-EU summit will be held on 22 July. He said his Government is “delivering on our promise to reset our relationship and put Britain at the heart of Europe”.
Whether he is still prime minister then is moot, but he will hope it will agree a deal for under-30s visas as part of his flagship Brexit reset policy.
Trump snub not a snub
But the signs of his diminishing influence are not hard to read.
At a summit where a bilateral with Donald Trump is the meeting every worked leader wants, Starmer is not, as things stand, scheduled to get one.
The Prime Minister, however, has denied that he has been snubbed by Trump, insisting the “pair get on really well”.
The relationship between the two men soured after Trump rebuked Starmer over the UK’s refusal to allow its bases to aid offensive air strikes on Iran in March. The US President said Starmer was “not Winston Churchill”.
Starmer will be keen to avoid any further clashes with Trump – particularly over defence – in the wake of John Healey’s resignation as defence secretary last Thursday.
Healey said No 10 and the Treasury were only prepared to give around £10bn in additional money for his Defence Investment Plan (DIP) – around £18bn less than what military chiefs had reportedly asked for.
In his resignation speech in the Commons on Tuesday, the former defence secretary repeated his fears that the Government was not treating the issue urgently enough. “Our adversaries do not follow timetables set by the Treasury,” he said.
Speaking in the margins of the summit, Starmer, who met Trump for the first time since the row over the Iran strikes in March, insisted he and the US President have a cordial relationship. The two men sat next to each other for two hours at the welcome dinner on Monday night.
Starmer told reporters: “I actually spoke to Donald Trump on Saturday before we came. We get on really well and I’ve been with him on the phone and last night and this morning, and we’re sitting next to each other so as you know there’s lots of room for side conversations in the margins.”
‘Honest and frank conversation’ with Trump
The Prime Minister is facing the most consequential week of his premiership. Thursday’s Makerfield by-election could pave the way for Andy Burnham’s return to Westminster and a tilt at No 10.
First, though, he must navigate his way through the G7 summit without provoking Trump, amid fears the Labour Government’s social media ban and the recent row over defence spending could incur the US President’s wrath.
Trump has little patience for foreign regulation of American tech giants, which he views as national champions, and has repeatedly called on Europe to spend more on its military.
Asked if Trump had raised concerns about either issue, and whether it could negatively affect the UK’s relationship with the US, Starmer said: “No, and no, and no. I sat next to Donald Trump for two hours last night at dinner, which was just the G7 leaders. There were no listening rooms, there were no staff, no advisers. It was literally an opportunity for all of us to have a very honest and frank conversation.”
Starmer and Lady Victoria meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday (Photo: Isabel Infantes/PA)
With Burnham waiting in the wings, Starmer will be acutely aware that his influence on the world stage may be waning amid fears he could soon be deposed.
On Tuesday morning, The Guardian reported that the planned session on Ukraine was delayed after the G7 host, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump held unscheduled talks, while other world leaders, including Starmer, hovered outside.
A confused Starmer was overheard asking if “they” were having a meeting.
Asked whether he was being snubbed by Trump, the Prime Minister told reporters: “Honestly, I mean, we’ve just spent two hours last night sat next to each other, chatting to each other.
“I spoke to him on the phone on Saturday for quite some time, one to one, as we often do.
“I’ve been sat next to him and discussing things in the margin with him this morning, and we’re about to go into another session in five minutes, where I’ll be sitting next to him again.
“So we are talking pretty constantly throughout this and it’s been very productive, very good conversations.”
Defence now an awkward subject
The timing of the defence secretary’s resignation last week could not have been worse for Starmer as he prepared to head to the G7 summit.
Trump has long complained about Europe’s approach to defence. His administration has repeatedly accused European governments of underinvesting in their militaries and over-relying on American protection.
At last year’s Nato summit in The Hague, he secured agreement from allies to lift spending to 5 per cent of GDP by 2035 – comprising at least 3.5 per cent on core defence and a further 1.5 per cent on wider security.
That makes it an awkward subject for Starmer, with his Defence Investment Plan in disarray amid conflicting claims over whether new money will actually be made available to the incoming Defence Secretary, Dan Jarvis.
Asked explicitly whether there was any new money, Starmer appeared to suggest that there was not.
He said: “What we’re now doing is going through with the new Defence Secretary, who’s obviously reading into this, where he wants that money to be spent, because he will now want to look at his own priorities and capabilities, and he may want to take a slightly different approach as to what those capabilities and priorities are now he’s looking at the plan.”
Ukrainian legacy
Starmer, who was due to hold a bilateral meeting with Zelensky on Tuesday evening, is determined to make progress on Ukraine.
He said there was a “real sense that things are changing”, adding that Ukraine is “now taking territory, which it has done in the last few months, rather than defending territory, that the impact of sanctions is quite great on Russia”.
Starmer also said the “mood in Moscow is changing”.
He added that the UK will play its “full part” in getting the Strait of Hormuz reopened “as soon as possible”, and that he and Macron were bringing together countries prepared to protect vessels in the strait, a key shipping channel effectively closed since the war began.
The exact details of the US-Iran deal to end the war have not been released, but Trump has said the strait will fully reopen when the initial agreement is signed this week.
Starmer said: “It’s going to make a material difference to our economies, to stability in the world, and of course we’re [G7 countries] all united in saying that Iran must not get… a nuclear weapon.”
He added that he had congratulated Trump on striking a deal with Iran, describing it as “a really important breakthrough”.
Starmer may yet help broker peace abroad. However, the fight that will decide his own future is the one waiting for him at home.