This rom-com lacks spice as May sticks to the script
Theresa May and Donald Trump flattered one another like teenage sweethearts but the meeting marked a missed opportunity for the British PM. Hollywood rom- com. She faces the very real challenge of trying to shape t h e U K ’s role in the world post-Brexit.
Unfortunately, her desire to “make a success of it” coupled with her obvious eagerness to get across the pond gave the visit – with its forced hand- holding and awkward body language – an air of desperation.
Mr Trump is well aware she needs a trade deal more than him and in that sense has her over a barrel.
Her flattery was accordingly sugary sweet.
Well done on a “stunning election victory”, Mr President, she said. “Thank you for inviting me so soon.”
And there’s nothing like an invitation from the Queen to butter up the leader of the free world.
But the compliments were by no means one- sided. Donald had come armed with material too.
Brexit will be a “tremendous asset”, a “blessing”, he insisted, underlining this “most special relationship” and “deep bond” between the nations.
It was like teenage sweethearts trying to outdo each other. ( You hang
Special relationship? Hugh Grant with Thornton in Love Actually. up; no, you hang up; I love you; I love you more ...)
That said, in keeping with her at times hawkish address to Republicans in Philadelphia the day before, Mrs May didn’t simply agree with the president on everything.
She had promised to speak “frankly” where necessary and stood firm when asked about UK sanctions on Russia over its actions in Ukraine.
She also seized the chance to put on record Mr Trump’s commitment to her that he is “100%” behind Nato, an organisation he previously dismissed as “obsolete”.
Moreover, the former reality TV star was better behaved than on other occasions and even made a few jokes.
I’m tempted to attribute this to the restraining influence of the Prime Minister, who was under a lot of pressure to walk the line.
But getting through 20 minutes or so is all very well; Mr Trump’s actions will speak louder than his words (and have already done so during his first week in office).
Let’s not ignore the elephant in the room, either.
While Mr Trump revealed his Secretary of Defense’s opposition to torture would “override” his own view, he reaffirmed his belief in its effectiveness.
Despite previously insisting the UK condemns torture, Mrs May chose not to interject when the pair shared a stage. It was a missed opportunity and she could come to regret letting the remarks slide later on.
Regardless of how much both sides claim the talks a success, agreeing a trade deal once the UK leaves the EU will be a difficult, likely long, process.
Mrs May can’t control what her billionaire opposite number does or says.
But she is accountable for her own conduct, which history will judge her by. And in her determination to secure an agreement, she mustn’t offer or sacrifice too much.
The end doesn’t always justify the means. JUST five councils in Scotland have defibrillators in all their secondary schools, research shows.
Scottish Lib Dems say every school needs one of the life-saving devices to ensure public safety.
Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said: “These lifesaving devices should be available in every secondary school across Scotland. What’s more, with schools being used on evenings and weekends for community activities, these critical resources in public places can benefit the wider public too.” A SNP MP has been cleared of any wrongdoing after a police investigation into financial dealings.
Dundee West MP Chris Law was detained by officers from Police Scotland in September last year, in a probe connected to his Spirit of Independence referendum campaign in 2014.
The campaign saw the MP raise grassroots funding to travel across Scotland in a Green Goddess fire engine, drumming up support for the Yes side.
The Crown Office has now confirmed that no further action would be taken.