Why G7 may be Groundhog Day for Starmer and Trump

When Keir Starmer arrived to speak to journalists yesterday morning at the British High Commission in Ottawa, there was a temporary distraction as one of the resident groundhogs made an appearance. But in more than one way, the prime minister's trip to Canada has the same "Groundhog Day" feel to it as the constant repetition of events seen in the famous comedy film of that name.

- DAVID MADDOX

The G7 summit is taking place today and tomorrow in Alberta as much of the world burns. With escalating crises in the Middle East and Ukraine, the leaders of the world's top democracies have much to discuss.

But for Starmer, there are a number of issues to be revisited. He confirmed on the flight over that he will hold a mini-summit at the gathering, with representatives from France, Germany, Italy and the EU, over the continuing problems with illegal migration and small boats crossing the English Channel.

There has been much unhappiness about French police failing to stop migrants getting into boats to cross to the UK despite the £400m they have received from the UK taxpayer. Defence secretary John Healey has expressed his angst in recent weeks.

But the prime minister said: "Look, one of the things we've worked hard at is improving the relations with the French in relation to the work we both need to do to stop these boat crossings, which I'm determined we will absolutely bear down on. Nobody should be making that journey.