The Poolie Bunker

No benefits then Jamie, I've asked three times now?
He turns up at COP when he could have sent Milliband for example, loads of World Leaders didn't show for that. He's gone ion Trade Missions when normally it would be the Business Secretary and Chancellor, by many reports Reeves was fuming at him going to China instead of her.
I'll ask again for the 4th time so you don't miss it, what benefits have all his trips brought?

From a reliable source, The Times of India, ranked highly in trust surveys, including the 2022 and 2024 Reuters Institute Digital News Reports
https://youtu.be/_0G6u5JlpRs?si=Y-T5ZVGPeQpaWuwh

What’s Starmer got to do with it…he scares you doesn’t he

He doesn’t have to achieve anything, he goes to observe, just admit it if was Farage you wouldn’t complain , I’ll ask you again why is Farage going to see Trump, a minority party leader.

Jamie is out of touch….he lives on the other side of the world and only looks at those news outlets that share his ‘viewpoint’………if he exists at all

Yes Spain like the U.K. they don’t want to end up as Trumps puppets, good on them, what influence does Farage hope to achieve by his visit ?[/quote]

It's to rekindle the special relationship of course..Slag Starmer off,and let him know what the UK public really think..Thank him for embarrassing the likes of Starmer and Khan on the world wide stage..What do think?

But you said earlier in this thread that there's benefits to the country from Starmer's trips abroad did you not?
I'm just asking you to quantify the benefits you claim come with the trips.
Now your saying he doesn't have to achieve anything from the trips, so why bother with the expense and time of going then? You've actually now argued my point against yours exactly.

It's all speculation,Jamie..nothing more.

The comment section tickled me,you do pick some sites..

Let us know if you see Jamie and Mutley out canvassing for the Labour Party near the May elections will you ,Snowy?

So what that’s what his job involves, you would be complaining if he was sat on his ar** in Number 10 all the time, one thing for sure he is not going to be Trumps puppet like Farage. He recognises the mistakes that were made during the Iraq war by Blair. Iran will turn into another basket case like Iraq, Libya, Syria, Afghanistan, every country The States gets involved in always does in general. Good at starting wars but the ultimate consequences are dire for the citizens of those countries.[/quote]



I'd rather have Farage having a word in Trump's ear than any leader in the Western World atm..100% ..Don't know if it's true,but starmer has already been on the phone today grovelling to Trump...

After his display over Greenland it should be clear to all that Trump is unhinged.

He won’t be there forever but any UK P.M. (be it Starmer or not) is going to be bullied and pressured and insulted, unless they act like a complete pansy towards the USA - and does anyone over here vote for that?

In any case The Don changes his mind all time, banning penguins from trading, flip flopping over these Chagos islands (“great deal/awful deal/great deal/awful deal) and to think he got the FIFA peace prize. WOW.

Part of his job description.

Now if I had posted similar to that I would be getting slagged off, don’t forget when Trump was going to impose a tariff on an island only occupied by penguins, the fella hasn’t a clue. I can imagine Farage sitting on Trumps knee patting our Nige on the head saying good boy Nige.

You’re in love with Farage…just admit it and come out of the political closet….

So no benefits at all from Starmer's globe-trotting, thought so.

Check out Lammy’s performance on Mastermind, it’s hilarious and he (remember) is deputy P.M.

He goes to observe! Are you serious? The new 'Air Miles Andy'. Excellent questions from PTID and I don't rate your reply. So, try again Bangkok Boy.

Not so much Master Mind as Mindless, embarrassing .

Excellent questions, he never asked any, btw I don’t live in Bangkok.
Various reliable sources say that it was a tomahawk missile that hit the girls school in Iran, Israel nor Iran posses them, another lie by Trump saying it was Iran who did it.
Google tomohawk missile hit girls school in iran, plenty of answers there for the Trump loving people.
feel really sorry for the many Americans with intelligence that they have to tolerate this petulant buffoon bringing disgrace to the office of president for a few more years.

Jamie I've now asked 5 times for you to list some of the benefits that YOU claim we get from Starmer's overseas jaunts, so obviously you're either in denial or the question is too complex for you to comprehend and answer?
Unsurprisingly off you go on your anti-Trump rally's.
Here's another question, do you actually believe everything you see or read in your world of fiction to be true? I'll bet I can find Google articles saying that the girls school wasn't hit by a US missile.

I am not party to Starmers meetings therefore I can’t say what the benefits are, can you list the non benefits ?
The articles are from reliable sources most hidden behind a pay wall.

Well well, I can’t say I am disappointed, Farage flew all the way to The States and never met Trump,btw this is from an article in The Times.
Oh dear. Oh no. Oh Nigel.Here's a lesson for any aspiring statesman: when you're planning to dine at Mar-a-Lago to discuss matters of global significance with the most powerful man on the planet, it's probably wise to check that the most powerful man on the planet will actually be there.
Nigel Farage, the man who once claimed to be Donald Trump's great mate, the self-appointed bridge across the Atlantic, the bloke who told anyone who would listen that he'd be "reinforcing the message" about the Chagos Islands over dinner with the president, has been left looking utterly ridiculous. He flew all the way to Florida, told everyone he'd be breaking bread with Trump, and then... nothing. Trump stayed an hour away in Doral. The dining table remained conspicuously Farage-free.
The FT's report is brutal. Farage wasn't formally invited. He was let in by a club member, like some punter hoping to bump into a celebrity. He gambled on catching Trump as he passed through, and he lost. Trump changed his plans, and apparently didn't think to invite his old mate along to the new location.
This is the political equivalent of turning up to a party, telling everyone you're on the guest list, and then watching the bouncer laugh. The relationship has "cooled", we're told. There's "no longer regular contact". Reform has "few direct links" to the administration. Farage didn't even make the cut for the swanky seats at the inauguration.
It's almost poetic. The man who built his career on riding Trump's coattails, who styled himself as the UK's direct line to the White House, has been ghosted. And the worst part? He told everyone about the dinner beforehand. He set the stage for his own humiliation. You almost have to admire the commitment to the bit.
Almost.

https://www.ft.com/content/93919282-087 ... cee5477d8b

Farage is too weak to lead this country, not that Starmer is much better.

Restore Britian and Rupert Lowe speak common sense.
Your thoughts on Mr Lowe would brighten up my day Jamie, penny for them?

Another millionaire, what would he bring to the ‘working class’ tbh I have no idea who or what party or person could restore credibility in the U.K. We lost it all with closure of the various industries which in the past produced the back bone of the U.K.

So you don't know of any of the benefits that you claimed came from Starmer's Jolie's, so how do you know there are any?
Let's face it your initial statement that there were benefits was wrong.
I don't care where you get your info from, I'd be able to find something online to dispute it? Credible sources, that's all per option, what you believe to be credible doesn't make it fact, likewise the rest of us. Got to do your research with an open mind then form an opinion not just post some YouTube stuff because it suits your inbuilt bias.

Keir Starmer's frequent trips abroad are primarily designed to boost the UK economy, secure investment, and re-establish international relationships, with the Prime Minister arguing that direct diplomatic engagement is essential for tackling domestic issues like the cost-of-living crisis.
Bloomberg.com
Bloomberg.com
+1
Key benefits and outcomes reported from his travels include:
Significant Investment and Job Creation: A trade mission to India resulted in over £1 billion of investment, creating nearly 7,000 new jobs. Furthermore, Starmer cited £63 billion of international investment secured for the UK in a October 2024 summit.
Trade Deals and Economic Growth: The Prime Minister has focused on opening doors for British businesses, including a trade deal with India that reduces tariffs.
International Diplomacy and Security: Starmer has prioritized strengthening alliances, particularly in the Middle East and Europe, including securing new defence partnerships with the EU.
Addressing Global Issues Affecting the UK: He has argued that being "in the room" for international talks is vital for managing global instability that drives up costs for working people at home.
Strategic Partnerships: The trips have focused on securing long-term security, such as maintaining support for Ukraine, reinforcing the AUKUS pact, and discussing critical minerals.

Working well the aren't they, employment falling, security and defence a joke, inflation rising, cost of living rising, international relationships blown apart (special relationship with US gone, Spain, France, Gulf States, Cyprus all critical of his response to the US/Israeli attacks), so what actual benefits has he achieved?

If Jamie isn’t a Party member doing his duty I’ll be amazed.
Who are you really?
Is ‘Thailand’ where you live or is it part of your ‘cover’….?

1 PTID did ask questions
2 You live in Belk Street
3 You avoid my points and rant about tomahawks and thick yanks and Trump

Now go have a lie down before the ants get you.

Do you mean like we have to with Starmer…?

Of what party Snowy, I might join Labour if Burnham becomes PM.
PM me your address Snowy and I will send you a postcard from Thailand.
You actually managed to write some thing with out mentioning Starmer, I am gob smacked !

Ants are a problem here, little buggers, leave a crumb out they will be onto it, they give you a nasty bite though.
You ever think of the reason I avoid your points, they don’t make sense and are not worth my energy to reply.
Belk Street, great location, near all the amenities of the town, Nursery Inn a great little pub a few minutes walk away.

Who would you replace them with ?
BTW due to Trumps ‘phoney’ war prices will be going up, Starmer not wanting to get trapped like Blair was with Iraq.
Dear me do I need correct you again, Spain has been the most critical European voice, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez vehemently opposing the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and refusing to allow the use of Spanish bases for such missions. Experts say European powers are adopting a defensive strategy same as the U.K. rather than getting involved militarily why because Trump will throw his toys out of the pram again threatening to impose tariffs.
European countries know they will be putting a target on every citizen by fully supporting Trump.
A good summary of how Trumps war will affect prices, watch it before commenting, the impact on the economy could worse than the Truss tenure.
https://youtu.be/vVusC3hSqQA?si=yy_OPjB6J0n815am

You obviously have been no where near Belk Street for a long time….although I suppose it depends on your standards

.Starmer….why? …what was God thinking…?

You mean they have no balls and have adopted a ‘please don’t hurt us ‘ attitude, which only makes things worse.as you’ve ran up the flag o surrender and ill thought out compromise.

Well I'll put my hands up when I'm wrong, swap Spain for Germany and France. Wether you agree or not with the strikes and war on Iran the UKs response to protecting our base in Cyprus and allies in the gulf states has been abysmal, while the Greeks and French have mobilised ships to protect Cyprus we've sent 3 jets and a helicopter. The fact that we don't have warships on a state of readiness is a joke, that's down to successive defence cuts but is the responsibility at the moment of your pal Starmer.
Also is t this fragmented response by EU countries indicative of the fact that they need to either get their act together regarding a coordinated defence force or step back from the attempted political united states and go back to being simply a common trading market?

Do you as an individual support Trumps war, which will cause untold damage to the worlds economy, you will be the first to complain when inflation rises but you will blame Labour. As of March 2026, the Trump administration has issued temporary, 30-day waivers allowing some Russian oil to be sold to India. These actions are aimed at reducing global energy prices amid the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, with officials considering further easing of restrictions to increase supply. This means more income Russia to bombard Ukraine.

I’ll ask you the same question I put to PTID, do you support Trumps actions against Iran and why and what does Trump hope to achieve? I don’t mainly because Trump hasn’t given a viable reason plus he is so thick he doesn’t realise he can’t bomb Iran into submission.
Iran will do untold damage to its surrounding Arabs territories bombing the hell out of oil and gas facilities, airports etc he has already killed tourism for months to come not just for the Arab countries but for destinations further afield as many airlines use Dubai, Qatar, Abu Dhabi etc as a hub to Asia. Fortunately I booked my April flight direct to Schipol avoiding the Arab stop overs albeit might might change if Iran decide to target passenger planes.
.

Wind up Snowy, lighten up, your obsessed by me like a couple of others on here always trying to get one over on me.

I don't support any war but I can see the need for action against Iran, they're supporting and sponsoring worldwide terrorism, they're massacring tens of thousands of their own people, they crave the destruction of the US and Israel, there's been at least 20 Iranian backed terrorist attacks in UK soil foiled by the security services, they are pursuing the development of nuclear weaponry, being reasons to try to enable regime change. I think it's not working out as I think Trump expected internal uprising and overthrowing of the regime by Iranian rebels to happen quickly.
Inflation was well up on what Labour inherited before this conflict began and the blame lies mainly on the shoulders of Reeves with her 2 budgets resulting in higher consumer costs due to increased taxation and costs for businesses.

another new excuse for her yet again as she cannot go on about her inherited black hole for ever. apart from inflation being up which i think for the average person is higher than what they say when they spend there money there is unemployment. i,m sure many on here are old enough to remember the high voices raised when unemployment hit the 1 million mark.

Why is Trump trying to be the policeman of the globe, first Venezuela, that’s gone quiet, now Iran, in the past he has talked about invading Greenland threatening Cuba over and above wanting to annex Canada, the fellas deluded.You will not bomb Iran into submission,I’ll repeat they tried it in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan and failed. Israel tried it with Gaza even with boots on the ground. He will not accept that a tomahawk missile that hit a school was an American one saying they sell the tomahawk to other countries, yes they do but not Iran. When he was elected he said he was going to be the president of peace and would stop the Ukraine war in a couple of weeks. He has since added fuel to the fire relaxing oil sanctions to Russia meaning more revenue to fund weapons for Russia.

In the run-up to the Iran war Trump ignored warnings that Iran could retaliate across the region and stop oil shipments. Now, with energy markets in chaos, some aides are pessimistic about the lack of a strategy to end the war, unfortunately they haven't told Trump. The neighbouring Arab countries won’t put up with bombing destroying their infrastructure and tourism.

Up until recently the stock markets on both sides of the Atlantic had reached record levels now he has set them back again, interest rates for mortgages are on the rise in the U.K., he has yet to say what his ultimate aim is and in every news conference changes tact.
There was talk of putting boots on ground to take over Irans nuclear facilities, yeh Iran a country of 92 million citizens are just going to lie down and let that happen.

Talks were still ongoing with Iran but Israel decided to jump the gun and Trump joined them, it will be proved in years to come a huge mistake, Iran will take revenge with world wide terrorism. Let’s not forget in the U.K. 30% of the asylum seekers are from Iran, they won’t take too kindly the U.K. assisting America to bomb their brothers

It’s not an excuse it’s fact, rising oil and gas prices fuel inflation, the energy cap was reduced for April but that could now be in jeopardy. In case you haven’t read mortgage rates are on the increase, not Reeves fault which will fuel inflation as well.
Don’t forget the Thatcher years, unemployment in the UK passed 1 million shortly after Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister in May 1979, but it accelerated rapidly during her first term, exceeding 2 million by the autumn of 1980 and reaching over 3 million by January 1982

Jamie the economy is worse now than when Labour won the GE, nothing to do with Trump, or That her, or anyone but Reeves.
Yes the Iran war isn't helping but it only started 12 days ago, we've been on the brink of recession for almost all of their time in power to date.

Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt inherited a severely damaged economy (partly following the Liz Truss "mini-budget" crisis) and were successful in stabilizing inflation and restoring market confidence. However, this stabilization was achieved through unpopular tax freezes and spending constraints, leaving behind the highest debt-to-GDP ratio in decades and historically low economic growth.
While the economy was not in a "total collapse" in mid-2024, it was widely described as a "weakened" or "stagnant" economy with deeply entrenched, long-term structural problems before Labour came to power.

But that doesn't alter the fact that between the GE and the start of this war, inflation has nearly doubled, taxes and NI have risen, growth is down, unemployment is up, the NEETs are up, all under Reeve's watch. Feck all to do with Sunak or Trump or world affairs (we're the only G7 country with inflation above 3%), all down to 2 budgets which have raised the costs if hiring people, hurt businesses, and robbed pensioners, killed ambition.
Stop harping back to previous governments and recognise that this lot are Fecking up big style.

We’ll have to stop feeding him…you can’t educate pork.

Snowy the national debt is plus £2.8 trillion, £40000 per household nearly 100% of GDP, the debt has to be serviced somehow, can you suggest another way of reducing it without raising taxes ?

Pigs are highly intelligent, social, and emotional animals, they are generally smarter than dogs, capable of playing video games with joysticks, recognizing themselves in mirrors, using tools, and learning complex tasks. They also exhibit, empathy, long-term memory, and unique personality.