Taxi-Talks: Starmer and Trump's relationship counselling

This is Paul.

Over the years we’ve tracked how professional talk around inclusion in the workplace differs from societal street talk around wokeism. As our filter bubbles get bigger and thicker, we’ve called a taxi. Specifically Paul’s taxi.

We recognise Paul as a gatekeeper, who holds the keys not just to his car, but to a range of perspectives from all walks of life. We enlisted him to ask his passengers what’s really going on in the world. 

With Sir Keir meeting Donald Trump this week, we asked: Do people think the US-UK special relationship will change in the years to come?

Setting the scene:

Following Trump’s shocking and unrelenting start to his term the entire UK news media establishment (and many of us) have been eagerly or anxiously awaiting this meeting. Although Starmer and Trump have met before, this will be their first in-person meeting in their ‘Special Relationship’. And guess what? It’s complicated. 

The US has been openly critical of its relationship with the European Union, and notable US figures have also targeted Britain’s governance. JD Vance, the Vice President, stirred up the Munich Security Conference by expressing frustration with leaders (including those in Britain) who he described as ignoring populist movements, retreating from free speech and failing to act on issues like migration. 

Elon Musk, another influential figure in Trump’s new Republican government as head of the Department of Government Efficiencies, echoed these criticisms, which made headlines during the UK’s racist riots in Southport in August 2024.

For some consolation, in January, when Trump was asked about Keir Starmer, he said, “I get along with him well. I like him a lot… He’s liberal, which is a bit different from me, but I think he’s a very good person, and he’s done a very good job thus far.” 

I guess we’ll find out if this goodwill and rapport is enough to hold up the diplomacy between nations but we’ll wait and see.

So what about our ‘Special Relationship’?

When asked about the future of the US-UK special relationship, Paul’s passengers’ opinions were clear: our special relationship is important for both nations to maintain. They drew attention to Starmer’s previous comments and members of his party’s criticisms of Trump which could potentially place him on his bad side (really hoping that that January quote still holds true). 

But they felt strongly that both leaders would find common ground for the sake of the alliance, putting aside differences for practical reasons as being allies benefitted them both.

We then got Paul to ask a second question:

Will the UK become more like the US?

Participants said yes, drawing strong parallels between the two nations' deepening divisions over immigration and so-called "woke culture" restricting free speech. Many highlighted growing frustrations in the UK, particularly around immigration and freedom of expression. These concerns have gained traction over the past year; YouGov polled in August (should be noted that this was just after the Southport riots), finding that immigration was the country’s top issue for 51% of the population. 

Meanwhile, recent headlines have featured Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticising the government for infringing on free speech. Paul’s passengers warn that, given the mass DEI rollbacks and policy shifts in the US, the UK may not be far behind…and these are the campaigning platforms behind the rise of Reform. 

Only time will tell as the years ahead roll on.