Could the bromance between Starmer and Trump hit the rough over green energy?

IN some ways, Sir Keir Starmer will be quietly pleased with how his recent trip to Scotland to meet Donald Trump went.

- MARTYN BROWN

The Prime Minister will argue that he got valuable, and lengthy, face-to-face time with the US President, even sharing a lift on Air Force One.

Their views on Gaza, on the face of it, aren't a million miles away from each other and Britain, thanks largely to being outside the EU, has done better than most following the President's tariffs blitz.

A trade deal is still on ice but with Mr Trump's historic second state visit to the UK planned for September, we might not have to wait too long to say cheers to another Brexit bonus.

But there was also the humiliation of the President telling the Labour leader his only chance of defeating Nigel Farage is to end the small boats crisis and cut taxes.

Not to mention the toe-curling moment when the Republican criticised London Mayor Sadiq Khan, branding him "nasty".

Mr Trump's remarks highlight that, despite their apparent bromance, there are many contrasts between the current incumbents of No 10 and the White House.

The differences between the two on energy policy are perhaps the starkest. Sir Keir, along with his Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, has pledged to make Britain a "clean energy superpower" through an expansion of wind and solar farms.

He has also imposed restrictions on oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.

While in Scotland, Mr Trump heavily criticised the UK for its high taxes on North Sea oil “that make no sense”.

He said there was “a vast fortune” to be made as he shared his views online.

Posting on his Truth Social network, the President said: “North Sea Oil is a treasure chest for the United Kingdom.

“The taxes are so high, however, that it makes no sense. They have essentially told drillers and oil companies that ‘we don’t want you’.