DAILY MAIL COMMENT: A promising start for PM and Trump LISTEN: Trump meets Starmer, the rise of Europe’s Far Right and what’s next for NATO – listen to Alas Vine & Hitchens wherever you get your podcasts. PODCAST: All the biggest news and insider gossip from the Trump administration – listen to Welcome to MAGAland here By DAILY MAIL COMMENT Published: 23:57 GMT, 27 February 2025 | Updated: 00:00 GMT, 28 February 2025 An odd couple they make, the buttoned-up barrister and the brash billionaire. Sir Keir Starmer is a Leftist-liberal who pays obeisance to international law, Donald Trump an alpha American who relishes being a disruptor. But after their first meeting in the White House, there seems to be reason to believe the British Prime Minister and US President could forge a fruitful partnership. This summit is perhaps the most important 36 hours of Sir Keir's premiership so far. His first seven months in power have been virtually moribund – marked by rising taxes, flatlining growth, sleaze and betrayals, and plummeting poll ratings. When it comes to the Special Relationship, however, he has made a much better start. In the Oval Office last night, Mr Trump showered him with praise (although an invitation from the King for an unprecedented second state visit to Britain had sweetened the President's mood). Sir Keir repeated his desire for a US security guarantee in Ukraine after any peace deal is agreed, explained he had increased Britain's defence budget and emphasised the mutual benefits of free trade to try to avoid the ruinous tariffs Mr Trump threatens to impose on the EU. Indeed, Brexit could be the PM's trump card. The President clearly loathes the Brussels bloc, so isn't it foolish for Sir Keir to risk throwing it away with his EU reset? The PM'a first seven months in power have been virtually moribund. When it comes to the Special Relationship, however, Sir Keir Starmer has made a much better start, writes the Daily Mail Unlikely bromance as Donald Trump and Keir Starmer insist Special Relationship is alive and well Many will raise eyebrows at Sir Keir prostrating himself before a man he recently couldn't say a good word about. But that is the art of diplomacy. On the evidence so far, there is quiet optimism they will work closely together – to the great benefit of both our countries. Take off at Gatwick? As the Transport Secretary backs a second runway at Gatwick, is the Government finally acting in the national interest? Heidi Alexander is 'minded to approve' the £2.2billion privately funded expansion provided measures to reduce noise and traffic pollution are put in place. True, the scheme still needs planning permission. But with Gatwick already at full stretch, it is indisputable Britain is crying out for greater airport capacity and the trade, jobs and investment it offers. With Gatwick already at full stretch, it is indisputable Britain is crying out for greater airport capacity and the trade, jobs and investment it offers This plan must not be killed off by a green lobby whose concerns, while understandable, always seem to trump our economy. To her credit, Ms Alexander says she is 'not some flight-shaming eco-warrior'. The trouble is, Ed Miliband gives every impression of being just that. Her decision shows the Net Zero Secretary's environmental fanaticism is increasingly redundant. Isn't it time he was too? Poor judgment Barely a day passes without another dangerous foreign criminal being spared deportation by the immigration tribunals. The suspicion is that these perverse decisions – completely out of step with public opinion – are made by activist judges pursuing their own hyper-liberal agendas. Take, for example, Judge Sarah Pinder. Her rulings include allowing a Zimbabwean paedophile to stay in Britain to avoid 'hostility' back home. Yet she has frequently written for a pro-open borders website. With asylum claims hitting a record 108,000 last year after Labour relaxed the rules, the system appears to be out of control. Immigration decisions should be taken by accountable ministers, not unelected judges. Regrettably, we doubt human rights lawyer Sir Keir will have any appetite for reform. Keir StarmerBrusselsDonald TrumpUkraine Share or comment on this article: DAILY MAIL COMMENT: A promising start for PM and Trump Add comment