UK's Starmer gets poll boost as he steps up Ukraine diplomacy
Starmer met US President Donald Trump in Washington on February 27 and hosted talks involving Ukraine's president and European leaders on March 2. He has played up his role as a go-between while also trying to protect Britain from US tariffs.
An Ipsos UK poll for The Times newspaper showed 30 per cent of Britons now think Starmer is doing a good job as prime minister, up from 23 per cent last month, although 45 per cent said he is doing a bad job.
Ipsos carried out its polling online from March 4 to 5.
Starmer met Trump in Washington one day before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky clashed in the Oval Office with the US president, who has upended U.S. policy on Ukraine.
European leaders agreed at their talks in London last Sunday to draw up a peace plan to present to Washington, and European Union leaders on Thursday backed plans to spend more on defence.
The Ipsos poll showed 44 per cent of Britons think government spending on defence should be increased, even if this means extra government borrowing, higher taxes or less money to spend on other public services - a rise from 42 per cent in February.
Ipsos interviewed 981 adults aged 18-75 across Britain.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Middle East Eye
2 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
Trump warns US will attack Iran's nuclear sites again 'if necessary'
US President Donald Trump touted the possibility of attacking Iran again after the Islamic Republic's foreign minister said three nuclear facilities had been badly damaged in strikes in June. Trump issued the warning in a social media post on Monday after Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Fox News that Tehran could not give up its nuclear enrichment programme, even though it was damaged by US strikes. "It is stopped because, yes, damages are serious and severe. But obviously, we cannot give up on enrichment because it is an achievement of our own scientists. And now, more than that, it is a question of national pride," Araghchi said. On his Truth Social platform, Trump referenced Araghchi's comments about the nuclear sites being severely damaged and said: "Of course they are, just like I said, and we will do it again, if necessary!" The US carried out strikes on Iran's Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear facilities on 22 June, assisting Israel, which had already been trading missile fire with Tehran since 13 July. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Iran responded to the strikes by firing ballistic missiles at the US's al-Udeid military base in Qatar. Washington and Doha were informed at least one day earlier about the choreographed strikes. Shortly after, the US announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, capping 12 days of unprecedented fighting. Since then, several news sites have questioned the extent of the damage on the Iranian nuclear sites. CNN cited an early US intelligence assessment which suggested that the strikes set back Iran's nuclear programme only by months, rather than destroying it. And on Thursday, NBC News reported that one of Iran's nuclear sites was severely damaged, but two other facilities were only degraded to the point that the Islamic Republic could restart uranium enrichment at them within months. Trump has said that the US and Iran will meet to restart negotiations. However, on Wednesday, he told reporters that he was "in no rush to talk because we obliterated their site". For its part, Iran is scheduled to meet Britain, France and Germany in Istanbul on Friday, to discuss its nuclear programme, with Tehran accusing European powers of scuppering a landmark 2015 nuclear deal. The 2015 agreement, reached between Iran and UN Security Council permanent members Britain, China, France, Russia and the US, plus Germany, imposed curbs on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. However, it unravelled in 2018 when the United States, during Trump's first term, unilaterally withdrew and reimposed sweeping sanctions. Though Europe pledged continued support, a mechanism intended to offset US sanctions never effectively materialised, forcing many western firms to exit Iran and deepening its economic crisis. "Iran holds the European parties responsible for negligence in implementing the agreement," said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei ahead of Friday's talks in Istanbul on the deal's future. Western powers, led by the United States and backed by Israel, have long accused Tehran of secretly seeking nuclear weapons. Iran has repeatedly denied this, insisting its nuclear programme is solely for civilian purposes such as energy production. Tehran and Washington held five rounds of nuclear talks starting in April, but a planned meeting on 15 June was cancelled after Israel launched strikes on Iran, triggering a 12-day conflict. "At this stage, we have no intention of speaking with America," Baqaei said Monday.
Al Etihad
4 hours ago
- Al Etihad
UAE, EU explore ways to enhance trade, investment relations
BRUSSELS (WAM) Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, met with Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Trade, to discuss the strengthening of bilateral relations between the UAE and the European Union. The meeting in Brussels was also an opportunity to review progress on the negotiations towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), following the first round of discussions held in June and early July. As UAE-EU bilateral relations continue to strengthen, the UAE-EU CEPA is anticipated to play a vital role in enhancing trade ties, fostering investment opportunities, and driving economic growth between the two parties. Both parties expressed optimism about the progress and potential benefits of the agreement. In 2024, non-oil trade between the UAE and the EU reached $67 billion, reflecting a 2.4% growth over the previous year. The EU continues to be a significant trade partner for the UAE, accounting for 8.3% of its total non-oil trade. Al Zeyoudi remarked, 'Our continued dialogue with the EU is essential in navigating the evolving global trade landscape. The European Union is a highly valued trade and investment partner for the UAE, with ties that continue to deepen across a range of sectors. This growth in trade is aligned with our mutual interests and highlights the importance of collaboration in areas such as energy transition, advanced technology, and food security.' The meeting served as a platform for both parties to discuss strategies for increasing investments in high-growth sectors, including renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. The UAE has already established significant partnerships with EU nations, reinforced by ongoing projects in solar energy and innovative technologies. The UAE delegation to Brussels included Mohamed Al Sahlawi, UAE Ambassador to Belgium, the European Union and Luxembourg, and Juma Al Kait, Assistant Undersecretary at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade. As the UAE continues to diversify its economy, the CEPA programme represents a strategic pillar of its foreign trade agenda. By solidifying trade relationships with key partners like the EU, the UAE aims to enhance access to global markets and stimulate sustainable economic development.
Gulf Today
11 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Zelensky names over 12 new ambassadors, including envoy to UAE, in rejig
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed over a dozen new ambassadors on Monday, during a big shakeup that has seen him replace top Cabinet officials and envoys to shore up relations with Washington and isolate Russia internationally. The new envoys named on Monday include ambassadors to Nato members Belgium, Canada, Estonia and Spain, as well as major donor Japan and regional heavyweights South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. Zelensky launched a major government reshuffle last week, promoting Yulia Svyrydenko, 39, who had served as economy minister and is well known in Washington, to head the Cabinet as prime minister. Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna is set to become Ukraine's new envoy to the United States, as Ukraine seeks to mend ties with the Trump administration. In remarks to the diplomatic corps released by his office, Zelensky said envoys needed to support "everything that causes Russia pain for its war". "While the content of our relationship with America has transformed following the change in administration, the goal remains unchanged: Ukraine must withstand Russia's strikes," Zelensky said. Reuters
