Can Keir Starmer Learn Any Lessons From Mark Carney’s Remarkable Election Victory?

Mark Carney completed one of the greatest political comebacks of all time by leading his Liberal Party to victory in the Candian election.

They appeared to be out of the running just a few short months ago, with Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives holding a lead of more than 20 points over his rivals.

But Carney, who only took over as prime minister from his predecessor Justin Trudeau in March, oversaw a remarkable turnaround in his party’s fortunes, thanks in no small part to his strong opposition to Donald Trump.

The US president has made no secret of his desire to make Canada the 51st state of the USA, and even made them one of the first countries he imposed tariffs on as he tried to bring his neighbours to heel.

Carney made defending Canada’s independence the centrepiece of his premiership – and was handsomely rewarded by voters.

In his victory speech, the former governor of the Bank of England said: “President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us, that will never ever happen.”

Carney’s fierce anti-Trump rhetoric is in stark contrast to his left-of-centre political ally Keir Starmer’s more cautious approach.

The prime minister has tried to walk a fine line between distancing himself from Trump in areas like trade tariffs and his attacks on Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while avoiding any outright criticism of the president.

That is because Starmer is desperate to agree a trade deal with America which he hopes will help to boost economic growth in the UK.

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey believes being anti-Trump can be a vote-winner in Britain too, starting with Thursday’s local elections.

He said: “Voters in Canada have elected a Liberal government on a clear mandate to combat Trump’s dangerous populism. Across the globe, it is liberals who are taking the lead in standing up for prosperity, security and democracy in the face of Trump, Putin and the rest.

“Voters in England have the chance to send a similar message on Thursday, by electing Liberal Democrat local champions to stand up for their communities against the hate-fuelled politics of Donald Trump and his bootlicker Nigel Farage.”

Luke Tryl, UK director of the More in Common think-tank, said there were lessons for Starmer to learn from Canada, but cautioned against the election result being seen as a green light for the PM to be more openly critical of Trump.

He said: “I am always nervous about reading across from elections elsewhere and here. There are various potential lessons – the fact that Carney managed to consolidate the left around him.

“For the moment, people tend to think Starmer is getting the balance right [on Trump].

“When Trump got in I was asked if people might want a ‘Love Actually’ Hugh Grant moment. I said I don’t think so. I think the more Trump is seen to behave recklessly, and that’s certainly the case on tariffs, there may be more demand for that.

“In any event, I think the impact on our politics will be much more marginal than in Canada, because obviously they are right next door and Trump isn’t yet asking us to become the 52nd state.”

Asked if the PM will change his approach towards Trump on the back of Carney’s victory, his spokesman said: “We look forward to working with him and Canada to further the relationship we have with Canada for the British national interest. We have a very good relationship with President Trump as well.”

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Tory Frontbencher Accuses Trump And Farage Of ‘Putin Apologism’

A Conservative frontbencher has accused both Nigel Farage and Donald Trump of “Putin apologism” over their response to the Ukraine war.

Although Vladimir Putin started the conflict by invading Ukraine in 2022, the US president has repeatedly blamed Kyiv for the ongoing battle, attacked Volodymyr Zelenskyy in public and suggested the beleaguered country will have to cede occupied land in the name of peace.

But the tide seemed to turn on Saturday when Trump, who is keen to fulfil his election promise and end the war as soon as possible, said he thought Putin might not want to end the conflict after all.

Meanwhile, Trump’s ally Farage, who has previously spoken of his admiration towards Putin, has recently started to distance himself from the Russian president.

The Reform UK even said Trump’s peace plan was rewarding Putin “too much”.

Speaking to LBC’s Lewis Goodall on Sunday, shadow levelling up and housing secretary Kevin Hollinrake accused both Farage and Trump of “Putin apologism”.

Goodall pointed out how Farage once said that Nato enlargement was a mistake and that was poking the Russian bear.

He asked the Tory MP: “Do you think that is Putin apologism?”

“I absolutely do, he’s let him completely off the hook,” Hollinrake replied.

Asked if he thought the same of Trump, the Tory frontbencher said: “Some of the things Donald Trump is doing, I agree with – some of the things, I disagree with.”

Goodall noted: “Trump’s been pretty friendly with Putin as well, he’s been way more friendly with Putin than Nigel Farage.”

The Tory replied: “Precisely, [there are] many things I disagree with – President Trump’s position on Russia is plainly flawed, wrong.

“If you think it is Ukraine’s fault that Russia invaded a peaceful democratic nation, then I really think you need to look at some of the details behind that kind of statement.”

Goodall said: “So do you think Trump is a Putin apologist as well?”

“Well of course, he has done that. Of course he’s done that. He has said that it is Ukraine’s fault that Russia invaded and Ukraine started the war,” Hollinrake said.

“That’s what he said.”

He added: “I’m worried about it.”

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Donald Trump Says Putin ‘Maybe Doesn’t Want To Stop The War’ Following Talks With Zelenskyy

The US president hit out after holding talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Pope Francis’ funeral.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he believed Putin was “just tapping me along” as he tries to get a deal to end the Ukraine war.

He also hinted at imposing tougher economic sanctions on Russia unless a peace agreement is reached soon.

It comes just two days after Trump called on Putin to stop bombing Ukraine so they could “get the peace deal done”.

In his post on Saturday afternoon, the president said: “There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days.

“It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through “Banking” or “Secondary Sanctions?” Too many people are dying!!!”

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy said he and Trump had enjoyed a “good meeting” in the Vatican – their first talks since their extraordinary Oval Office bust-up in February.

In a post on X, the Ukrainian president said: “We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered.

“Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out.

“Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results.”

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Trump Attacks Zelenskyy Yet Again, Accusing Him Of ‘Inflammatory Statements’ Over Crimea

Donald Trump has just accused Volodymyr Zelenskyy of making “inflammatory” statements over Crimea while the US is still pushing for a quick end to the Ukraine war.

The US has been trying to broker peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv for months, but Vladimir Putin – who started the war in February 2022 – has repeatedly dragged his heels.

Even when Trump has offered to resolve the conflict on terms favourable to the Kremlin with very few concessions, Putin has resisted.

Instead, the White House has reportedly suggested Kyiv recognise Russia’s illegal annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula Crimea to secure peace.

But the Ukrainian president has already rejected this idea, telling reporters on Tuesday: “There is nothing to talk about. This violates our Constitution. This is our territory, the territory of the people of Ukraine.”

In a lengthy post on Truth Social on Wednesday, the US president hit back.

Trump accused Zelenskyy of “boasting” that Ukraine will not legally recognise the occupation of Crimea.

He said: “This statement is very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia in that Crimea was lost years ago under the auspices of President Barack Hussein Obama, and is not even a point of discussion.

“Nobody is asking Zelenskyy to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory but, if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?”

He continued: “It’s inflammatory statements like Zelenskyy’s that makes it so difficult to settle this War.

“He has nothing to boast about!

“The situation for Ukraine is dire — He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country.

“I have nothing to do with Russia, but have much to do with wanting to save, on average, five thousand Russian and Ukrainian soldiers a week, who are dying for no reason whatsoever.

“The statement made by Zelenskyy today will do nothing but prolong the ‘killing field,’ and nobody wants that!

“We are very close to a Deal, but the man with “no cards to play” should now, finally, GET IT DONE. I look forward to being able to help Ukraine, and Russia, get out of this Complete and Total MESS, that would have never started if I were President!”

Before he was re-elected last year, the US president promised to resolve the conflict within 24 hours.

Now, more than three months after his January inauguration, Trump and his top team have repeatedly threatened to withdraw from the whole peace process unless they see significant process.

Trump’s secretary of state Marco Rubio also surprised western allies when he announced – at the last minute – that he would be skipping the planned peace discussions in London on Wednesday, citing scheduling issues.

The whole occasion was then downgraded from a meeting between senior ministers to officials.

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Conservative Journalist Mocked For Asking The Cringiest Possible Trump Question

Considering that Donald Trump’s current tariff antics are fueling recession fears, there’s no doubt the public wants answers.

However, they won’t be getting them from the questions asked by reporters like Cara Castronuova, who works for Lindell TV, a news network created by My Pillow big cheese Mike Lindell.

Castronuova, a former boxer, became the subject of much social media mockery on Friday when she asked a question at the White House’s press briefing that seemed like it could have been composed by press secretary Karoline Leavitt herself.

“Will you guys also consider releasing the president’s fitness plan? He actually looks healthier than ever before — healthier than he did eight years ago, and I’m sure everybody in this room could agree,” Castronuova asked. “Is he working out with Bobby Kennedy and eating less McDonald’s?”

Leavitt was obviously happy to end the press gathering with a softball question like that.

“I can confirm the president is in very good shape, as you see on a near daily basis here,” she said.

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REPORTER: President Trump looks healthier than ever before. I’m sure everybody in this room could agree. Is he working out with Bobby Kennedy and is he eating less McDonald’s?

LEAVITT: I can confirm the president is in very good shape pic.twitter.com/KyeFjjsnsq

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 11, 2025

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REPORTER: President Trump looks healthier than ever before. I’m sure everybody in this room could agree. Is he working out with Bobby Kennedy and is he eating less McDonald’s?

LEAVITT: I can confirm the president is in very good shape pic.twitter.com/KyeFjjsnsq

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 11, 2025

The timing of Castronuova’s question was fortuitous; she asked it on the same day Trump had his annual physical.

Her premise was also factually dubious ― remember, Trump is a big fan of McDonald’s and once said that exercise is bad for the human body.

As a result, she was heavily mocked on social media for being a suck-up, not a journalist.

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Have I been misunderstanding what “being in very good shape” is all this time??

— dara faye (@darafaye) April 11, 2025

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Have I been misunderstanding what “being in very good shape” is all this time??

— dara faye (@darafaye) April 11, 2025