In renouncing aid and Europe, Starmer is sucking up to Trump | William Keegan

Last week's much-trumpeted Anglo-US meeting has not reduced concerns about Ukraine, Nato or tariffs - or boosted confidence in the UK government

Most people I know were concerned about the prospect of a second Trump presidency; but we did not have a vote. However, those Republicans who elected him should have been mindful of the old Chinese proverb: be careful what you wish for.

A classic example has been provided recently in the columns of the New York Times. On 17 December, the rightwing columnist Bret Stephens wrote: Here's a thought for Trump's perennial critics, including us on the right. Let's enter the new year ... by dropping the lurid comparisons to past dictators, by not sounding paranoid about ... the ever-looming end of democracy."