Starmer speech leaves Reform UK and the Tories playing catch-up | John Crace

"The American war with Iran is one of the few occasions when the prime minister's judgment has been right all along. Just over two weeks in and it's increasingly looking like the The Donald is only in the war for its entertainment value. Just last weekend, he was saying he might continue bombing Kharg Island for fun. For the lols and social media hits. There has never been a plan or a goal in mind."

"Starmer's natural instinct to stay as far out of the conflict as he can has been a good one. When Kemi and Nigel Farage were yelling to get stuck in, Keir urged caution. And he's been proved right. Most Brits want well out of another war in the Middle East."

"The last few weeks have taken their toll. Keir now looks permanently knackered from having to juggle the war, the Mandelson fallout, threats to his leadership and so much going pear-shaped on the home front. It's just been one damned thing after another with no let-up."

Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a press conference at Downing Street to discuss the American conflict with Iran, a choice that allowed him to project leadership while avoiding parliamentary questioning from opposition leader Kemi Badenoch. Starmer's cautious approach to the conflict has proven correct, as President Trump's military actions lack clear strategic objectives and appear driven by entertainment value rather than coherent planning. The prime minister initially resisted pressure from opposition figures to escalate British involvement, a position supported by public sentiment against further Middle Eastern military engagement. Despite this diplomatic success, Starmer appears exhausted from managing multiple crises simultaneously, including the conflict, internal party challenges, and domestic policy failures. The premiership, once intensely desired, has become increasingly burdensome.

Read at www.theguardian.com