this post was submitted on 09 Apr 2025
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[–] imrighthere@lemmy.ca 63 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

Could somebody explain to me why the UK keeps bending over for trump ? You have a bit of russian in the house or something ?

[–] floofloof@lemmy.ca 37 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

From an international perspective, it just makes the British government look scared, weak, and untrusting of its own abilities.

[–] TheTonDog@feddit.uk 20 points 2 weeks ago

Blame the historic "special relationship". We're a US vassal state, out of touch with the rest of European sentiment.

[–] lemmus@lemmy.world 18 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

UK nuclear weapons are American and can only be serviced by America (in Georgia). They have failed all of their recent tests, so are likely defunct. British global power is a myth that largely depends on its nuclear capabilities, so it is extremely dependent on the US for this. Brexit was the final nail in the coffin of the prospect of independence from Washington. Finally, the current Labour Party is Blairite through and through. Its prominent cabinet members were educated in US business schools and are simply setting themselves up for consultancy jobs once they leave office, all the have to do is hollow out the state even further to the benefit of US companies.

[–] thanksforallthefish@literature.cafe 21 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

That's not actually correct. The missiles (the rocket part) are indeed leased from the US, and the maintenance every few years is thus done by them - which keeps the cost down. The warheads are the UKs.

A freshly serviced trident missile should be good for 5-7 years (although they currently get serviced more frequently).

If the UK falls out with the US then we have a number of years to either build our own replacement missile to put the warheads on or buy/lease a missile body off another country - France for example has several options in this space that could be easily adapted.

We are where we are because nobody could imagine the US going rogue like this, a failure of imagination for sure but our nukes are in fact in our control

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/heres-how-britains-nukes-are-operationally-independent/

https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/03/uks-nuclear-deterrent-relies-us-support-there-are-no-other-easy-alternatives

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/no-america-doesnt-control-britains-nuclear-weapons/

Edit, tidied up the wording

[–] lemmus@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

That’s good to know, thanks for pointing that out. You’re certainly correct about a failure of imagination. Would be interesting to see the fallout if the UK tried to diversify its missile options.

[–] IcyToes@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 weeks ago

Probably keen to represent GSK, AstraZeneca and financial services companies. Though to hell with the rest of us.

[–] MyNameIsRichard@lemmy.ml 34 points 2 weeks ago

He really is a fucking tory

[–] drunkosaurus@lemmy.dbzer0.com 29 points 2 weeks ago

What the fuck

[–] Leeuk@feddit.uk 25 points 2 weeks ago

Appreciate its only been about 9 months or so, but been disappointed with Labour so far...

Starmer doesn't appear to be listening to the public mood on benefit reform, taxes or even the growing hostility here towards the US. It seems he's stuck 2 years in the past and as others have suggested it's difficult to see him as being the leader of the Labour Party. The most positive move I've seen him make was his warm welcome of Zelenskyy after the White House disaster.

I don't know if it was true, but I once read that Churchill rode the underground shortly before his famous speach which helped him get the mood of the public. Starmer really needs to doing something similar. He's looking more out of touch every passing week.

[–] Flamekebab@piefed.social 22 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

They already pay naff-all, how much more can we possibly cut?

[–] Infernal_pizza@lemm.ee 3 points 1 week ago

Maybe we should start paying them tax instead? And they can have a free castle in Scotland each

[–] lemmus@lemmy.world 14 points 2 weeks ago

Starmer the Collaborator.

[–] Hansae@lemmy.dbzer0.com 14 points 2 weeks ago

Spineless bastard

Starmer is such a fucking piece of shit man. It was obvious from the start, but its still disappointing.

[–] Naich@lemmings.world 14 points 2 weeks ago

That's good. They could do with a bit more money. If we had it we'd just spend it on food or some such recklessness.

[–] SanPe_@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago

"Labor" ???

[–] TwinTitans@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago

Yeah, no. Tax increases seem reasonable.

[–] BigMacHole@lemm.ee 5 points 2 weeks ago

I thought Only AMERICANS were Incapable of Learning?

[–] hellfire103@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I certainly know who I'm not voting for next election. Well, unless it's between them and Reform.