Try GOLD - Free
Relief for Starmer after state visit success won't last long
The Independent
|September 20, 2025
The stakes were high for Donald Trump's state visit to the UK this week. From questions over the appointment of Peter Mandelson and the US president's links with Jeffrey Epstein, to criticism of the UK's free speech laws, there was certainly no guarantee of success.
After a nightmare return to parliament for Keir Starmer, who saw the departure of both Mandelson and his deputy Angela Rayner in the space of two weeks, the prime minister needed a boost amid growing speculation that he may not remain in post until the next election.
There were a few sticky moments, such as when Trump told the prime minister to call the army in to tackle migration. He also admitted disagreements over the recognition of Palestine.
But the US president avoided any open berating of the UK, and glossed over questions on Mandelson and free speech - leaving the visit, overall, looking like a success story for the relationship between the Labour government and the Republican administration in the States.
This story is from the September 20, 2025 edition of The Independent.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Independent
The Independent
ON THIS DAY
1803: Composer Hector Berlioz was born near Grenoble.
1 min
December 11, 2025
The Independent
Slot breathes easier as Jones sparkles in diamond shape
It isn’t the most infamous interview a Liverpool player has conducted after a match of late. Not any more, anyway. But after PSV Eindhoven won 4-1 to inflict Liverpool’s joint-heaviest European defeat at Anfield and take their run to nine losses in 12 games, Curtis Jones declared that they were “in the shit”.
3 mins
December 11, 2025
The Independent
‘It positions the harassment of migrants as a public duty’
Anti-immigrant activists are travelling to northern France to intimidate asylum seekers. Holly Bancroft investigates this disturbing new trend, and the far-right groups promoting it
5 mins
December 11, 2025
The Independent
Doctors consider last-ditch Streeting bid to avoid strike
Health secretary Wes Streeting has accused the doctors' union of \"playing games with patients' lives\" by delaying a decision on whether to call off resident doctors' strikes after he made them a fresh offer to settle.
3 mins
December 11, 2025
The Independent
Bestselling English novelist Sophie Kinsella dies at 55
The author Sophie Kinsella has died aged 55, her family have said. Kinsella, best known for her bestselling Shopaholic novels, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in 2022. She revealed the news to the public last year.
3 mins
December 11, 2025
The Independent
How time caught up with reality TV's top starmaker
With ‘The Next Act’, Simon Cowell has effectively remade ‘The X Factor’ for Netflix - and it’s bleak
5 mins
December 11, 2025
The Independent
Alarm as Britain revokes citizenship of hundreds
System allows for 'shocking' racial disparity, finds report
4 mins
December 11, 2025
The Independent
PARR EXCELLENCE
Martin Parr's photographs are widely, and justly, celebrated. But some critics claim to detect a hint of snobbery. The truth is that he was obsessed with people
4 mins
December 11, 2025
The Independent
Parlous States: let's face it, America has switched sides
What does Donald Trump want from Europeans? It’s a question we didn’t use to have to ask ourselves about American presidents.
4 mins
December 11, 2025
The Independent
Kalu's Turner Prize win is a standout victory for real art
The sculptor's success is a seismic moment for diversity, but equally as significant, argues Mark Hudson, is her emphasis on elements the competition has lost sight of in recent years
3 mins
December 11, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size