Chris Mason: Starmer sticks to strategy of avoiding criticism of Trump over Maduro
In Labour's election manifesto, the party promised to protect international law. This seemed like a natural fit for Sir Keir Starmer, given his previous career as a human rights lawyer. However, he is now facing criticism for his cautious response after the United States seized the Venezuelan president and his wife from Caracas.
While the event was a major breach of international rules, the Prime Minister’s public comments have been very mild. He posted on social media about his support for a change of government in Venezuela but avoided commenting on the controversial way it happened. This appears to be a deliberate strategy. Since Donald Trump returned to the White House, Sir Keir has decided to avoid public arguments with a president who is known for falling out with world leaders.
Supporters of the Prime Minister say this "sober" approach has already helped the UK. They point to a recent deal that protected thousands of jobs at Jaguar Land Rover by avoiding US tariffs. They argue that keeping a good relationship with the White House is more important for British jobs and security than making public criticisms.
However, opponents on the left—including the Liberal Democrats, the SNP, and the Greens—have condemned the Prime Minister for failing to stand up to President Trump. Even some of his own Labour MPs are unhappy, calling the government's reaction "half-hearted." Despite this, many in the party admit that because the US President is so unpredictable, it makes sense for Sir Keir to be extremely careful for now.
