UK politics latest: Starmer to join Macron for Armistice Day ahead of talks on Trump and Ukraine

Downing Street say ‘no change’ in supplying weapons to Ukraine

Downing Street insisted there was “no change” to the UK’s position on supplying weapons to Ukraine amid speculation that Britain and France are looking to ramp up arms provision before Donald Trump takes office.

Asked whether the UK was looking to provide “as many arms as it can” before Mr Trump’s presidency, a Number 10 spokeswoman said: “There’s no change in that regard… We’ll be maintaining our position of continually stepping up.

“That means ensuring Ukraine gets what it needs and gets it more quickly.”

Holly Evans11 November 2024 12:43

No10 decline to say if Starmer believes Ukraine to be safe under Trump

Downing Street declined to say whether Sir Keir Starmer believes Ukraine will be safe after Donald Trump’s election win.

Asked whether the Prime Minister shared his Defence Secretary’s confidence that Mr Trump would not abandon Kyiv, a Number 10 spokeswoman said: “We’re not going to speculate on positions before the administration is in place. We always welcome sustained bipartisan support in the US or Ukraine, and that’s been key to our international efforts to support.

“We expect the US to remain alongside allies like the UK in standing with Ukraine for as long as it takes to prevail over (Vladimir) Putin’s invasion.”

Holly Evans11 November 2024 12:28

What are Trump’s tariff plans and what could they mean for the UK?

Donald Trump’s election has sparked fears of a global trade war after his campaign pledge to impose levies of 10 to 20 per cent on all goods imported from US trading partners, and up to 60 per cent and 100 per cent for China and Mexico.

How could tariffs impact the UK?

Read the full article here:

Holly Evans11 November 2024 12:15

Starmer expected to travel from Paris to Azerbaijan for Cop29 talks

The latest UN climate talks kick off this week against a backdrop of devastating weather extremes, record heat and Donald Trump’s re-election as US President.

World leaders including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer are heading to the opening summit of Cop29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, where they face pressure over delivering finance for poor countries to cope with climate change, and increasing their ambitions on emissions cuts.

The meeting is being held in the wake of the latest deadly weather events including floods in Valencia and Hurricane Helene in the US, which scientific analyses show were made more likely and intense by rising temperatures.

This year is on course to break temperature records once again and, as countries prepare to submit new plans for climate action by early next year, the UN has warned that existing policies are falling so far short the world is on track for a “catastrophic” 3.1C of warming.

Countries will also be grappling with Mr Trump’s return to the White House, in what analysts say is a trend of climate scepticism in elections this year.

Holly Evans11 November 2024 11:52

Trump’s tariff plan ‘doomsday scenario’ for UK economy, senior Labour figure warns

Experts have warned of a looming trade war after Mr Trump himself said: “Tariff is my favourite word”.

Read the full article from Kate Devlin here:

Holly Evans11 November 2024 11:38

Kemi Badenoch arrives at Post Office inquiry

Kemi Badenoch, the new leader of the Conservatives and the business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, have both arrived to give evidence to the Post Office inquiry.

She will answer questions later this afternnon having held the business portfolio in the last government.

Holly Evans11 November 2024 11:18

UK expects US to continue backing Ukraine and Nato alliance

Donald Trump has insisted he would find a solution to end the war in Ukraine “within a day” without explaining how he would do so, which some have interpreted to mean a peace on terms favourable to Moscow.

Facing broadcasters on Monday morning, defence secretary John Healey said he expected the new administration to continue backing Ukraine until it secures a victory over Russia.

“As far as President Trump goes, he recognises that countries get security through strength, just as alliances like Nato do, and I expect the US to remain alongside allies like the UK, standing with Ukraine for as long as it takes to prevail over Putin’s invasion,” he told Sky News.

He dismissed suggestions that a withdrawal of US commitments to Nato, which Mr Trump has previously alluded to, would leave the UK weakened.

“I don’t expect the US to turn away from Nato. They recognise the importance of the alliance. They recognise the importance of avoiding further conflict in Europe,” Mr Healey said.

Holly Evans11 November 2024 10:54

Starmer and Macron lay wreath at Winston Churchill statue

As part of the commemorations of Armistice Day in Paris, Sir Keir Starmer and the French President Emmanuel Macron have laid a wreath at the Winston Churchill statue in Paris.

The two also travelled in an open roof car to review troops around the Arc de Triomphe.

Holly Evans11 November 2024 10:30

In pictures: Macron and Starmer observe minute’s silence for Armistice Day

Holly Evans11 November 2024 10:21

Why party-loving Karen Pierce is key to reviving Starmer’s relationship with Trump

The morning after Donald Trump’s election, Britain’s top diplomat to the United States posted a photograph of herself wearing a wide-brimmed hat and orange dress, standing next to Trump in the Oval Office — presumably taken during his first administration. “We look forward to deepening our already profound and successful partnership as we deal with the challenges of the 21st century,” she wrote.

Dame Karen Pierce knows diplomacy. So well, in fact, that if the rumours turn out to be true, despite her four-year term ending, Sir Keir Starmer will reappoint her as the UK’s ambassador to the US – a move that will acknowledge just how adept the 65-year-old has proven in the delicate task of handling Trump.

It’s a role that it’s fair to say she’s probably more than happy remaining in, too. In April, she told a party in the gardens of the British embassy at 3100 Massachusetts Avenue that she would have “to be dragged out of here by my fingernails” – despite the fact that David Miliband, Baroness Amos and Lord Mandelson were all tipped for her job. But Pierce has something they don’t: Trump experience.

Read our full analysis from Alex Hannaford here:

Holly Evans11 November 2024 10:16