Dear John,

In the week where Macron, Starmer and Zelensky all made their way to the lions den of the Oval Office, an emotive Ukrainian summit was held in Kyiv, and Best for Britain’s Tom Bruffato made a skilful argument for closer EU-UK alignment at the Business and Trade Select Committee, here is your weekend wire…

Kier charmer

Armed with a signed letter from the King and the announcement of a recently increased defence budget, Keir Starmer landed in Washington with a plan to woo the President of the United States. In one of the most consequential meetings between a Prime Minister and his American counterpart in the post-war era, Starmer performed admirably. 

Using Trump’s known admiration for the British royals, Starmer enlisted the help of King Charles III to break the ice during the informal conversation between the two leaders. The invitation for a second full state visit was described as ‘unprecedented’ by the PM. In a promising sign for the UK Government, Trump also hinted that he would support the planned Chagos deal, subject of much ire from the right-wing media in Britain, and seen before the meeting as a potential sticking point.

The contrasts of both style and substance between the two leaders was well known before  but following in the footsteps of French President Emmanuel Macron who had visited a few days earlier, Starmer remained  cordial whilst correcting the American president on his incorrect claim about the funding of the Ukrainian war effort.

Indeed, Ukraine hung heavy over the meeting. The Prime Minister had announced early in the week that British defence spending would rise to 2.5% by 2027 and it was hoped that such a move would act as an olive branch to a President who has made much of the financial contributions from NATO members in the past. Less positive for Starmer, his hopes of securing the ‘American backstop’ for any future European peacekeeper effort appeared to be no closer to being agreed following the meeting. 

Trade-itional allies

Much of the news coverage leading up to this week's historic meeting focused on the rapidly changing nature of the world order and the end of America’s role as guarantor of European security. However, both men were keen to talk up the uniqueness and closeness of the famed ‘Special Relationship’ between both countries. 

One particular point of contention during the meeting came from a number of questions regarding the European Union from the press pack, where Trump again lambasted the bloc. Starmer was keen to point out the difference between the trading relationship between the UK and America, arguing that as America had a surplus with Britain there would be no need for the dreaded tariffs. 

Later, Trump announced that he envisioned ‘a real trade deal’ with the UK that could happen ‘very quickly’. Starmer hinted that such a trade deal would focus on new technological developments, avoiding over-regulation, particularly in fields like artificial intelligence. Trump claimed that such a trade deal could preclude Britain from any tariffs in other fields, praising the Prime Minister as ‘a very tough negotiator’.

However, as Best for Britain CEO Naomi Smith warned, Trump dangling a trade agreement should not distract the Government from improving the UK-EU trade agreement which could yield far bigger economic benefits.

Pining for peace

In truth this section of the Weekend Wire was initially written much differently to how you are reading it this morning. The actions of President Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office on late Friday afternoon have sent shockwaves across the world. The Ukrainian President, undoubtedly one of the bravest individuals in the world, was ambushed by a President and Vice-President whose petulance and playground bullying antics have further ripped up the diplomatic rulebook. 

President Zelensky left the Oval Office early, no mineral deal signed, and at one point the Ukrainian Ambassador was filmed with her head in her hands, close to tears. The proclamation from the President of the United States that it was good for the American people to see the debate only seems to illustrate the calculated nature of the interaction. JD Vance proved particularly confrontational, imploring the Ukrainian President to be grateful in the face of such clear disrespect and provocation. 

The whole scene was very challenging to watch, one cannot help but feel that it will act as an indicative moment in the history of not only this conflict but of the post-2016 populist Western political era. Most commentators in the wake of the meeting highlighted one salient fact, that the happiest leader following the meeting would be the Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Oval Office meeting between Zelensky and Trump will go down in history, it will sear the political imagination of a generation, and it will crystallise concerns around Europe as to the new  political order in which the continent now finds itself.

It had already been an immensely challenging week for Ukraine, its citizens and army continue to bear the brunt of emboldened Russian artillery attacks, whilst its leader continues to drum up support from Europe and attempt to win favour across the Atlantic. 

Monday marked the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine, a sombre moment to reflect  on the sacrifices made by the Ukrainian people. To commemorate the occasion, many world leaders travelled to Kyiv to restate their unwavering support for the embattled country. In an emotionally charged affair, the summit was marked by genuinely remarkable speeches, in particular from the Finnish and Danish leaders, both well worth a watch. 

“The autocrats around the world are watching very carefully whether there’s any impunity if you violate international borders or invade your neighbor, or if there is true deterrence,” - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

The meeting was the first of a number of upcoming meetings between European leaders and Ukraine, with Starmer hosting a meeting tomorrow and European Council President Antonia Costa convening an emergency summit of the 27 EU leaders and Zelensky on March 6.

YM-Yes!

On Tuesday 25 February, Best for Britain's Executive Director of Policy and Research Tom Brufatto gave evidence to the House of Commons Business and Trade Select Committee on export-led growth.

Watch his contribution to the session, including insights into our research with Frontier Economics on how deep alignment with the EU on goods and services could boost the UK economy by up to 2.2%. 

                                                      👇👇

Policy Director Tom Brufatto tells MPs a better UK-EU deal could boost the UK economy by up to 2.2%

It is well worth watching Tom’s valuable contributions, an excellent performance!

Britain says YM-YES

This week the Independent published our brand new polling on the popularity of a youth mobility scheme (YMS). Our survey of 15,000 people and carried out by YouGov, found that there is an overwhelming amount of public support for the policy as the EU and the Government get ready to begin further negotiations on the UK-EU reset. 

Our poll found that a majority of voters in every constituency across the UK support a youth mobility scheme, even in Reform constituencies like Clacton and Yarmouth! Overall 66% back the scheme, dwarfing those who oppose (18%). A youth mobility scheme with the EU would allow tens of thousands of our youngsters to have access to economic and cultural opportunities across the continent, with similar access granted to those in the EU wishing to work or study in the UK. 

Cal Roscow, director of campaigns at Best for Britain, said: 

“Voters and business owners are united on this matter. Youth mobility is good for young people, good for the economy and good for Britain.

 Linke-dIn

The German election went much as expected, Merz commands the largest party and will be Chancellor, the AfD had their best ever election result but due to the CDU’s recommitment to the  firewall look unlikely to feature in any coalition government.The SPD meanwhile paid the price for their time in government under Olaf Scholz with their worst performance of all time. 

However, and in what is actually remarkably refreshing for your writer, we had some unexpected good news! Enter stage left, Der Linke, who vastly outperformed their polling expectations shocking political analysts across Europe. Who are Der Linke? Der Linke is a socialist left-wing party, politically similar to the Greens in the UK. The party had been massively underperforming for years, and with its star member, Sahra Wagenknect leaving  to set up her own party, leaving Der Linke seemingly as dead as the proverbial Dodo. 

Before the election, there was particular angst amongst political commentators at the pattern of young Germans choosing to support the AfD over more traditionally youth centric left-wing parties like Der Linke or the Greens. At the root of much of Der Linke’s revival has been Heidi Reichinnek, the young and charismatic leader of the party. More successfully a tactic of the right, Der Linke confounded the pollsters by  utilising social media and connecting with young voters on issues that matter to them. Reichineek has become famous in Germany for her impassioned speeches against the far-right and in favour of social justice and equality. 

Der Linke attracted 8.7% of the vote, vastly above even the most optimistic of pre-election expectations. In a further positive sign for democracy, a record-breaking 83.5% of people cast their votes, the most since German unification in 1990. One hopes that Der Linke’s success at connecting with millions of Germans can inspire organisations across Europe currently fighting the rise of right-wing populism.

Keep public ownership of water on the table

A message from Clive Lewis MP and our friends at Compass;

Water is a shared resource on which all our lives—and the health of our environment—depend. After years of bill hikes, shareholder pay-outs, and pollution, it couldn't be clearer: privatisation has created a crisis in our water system.

We can't leave the future of our water in the hands of failing corporations that prioritise profit, and an ineffective regulator. We need an overhaul of our water system. Not just tinkering at the edges.

This Spring, we've got the chance to do just that. On 28th March, my Water Bill will be debated for the first time in Parliament. This Bill is an unmissable chance to put public ownership on the table and create a national conversation about how our water is managed.

This is a chance for common sense to overcome an ideological commitment to failing privatisation. It's about weighing all options, and shaping the future of our water together. It’s about democracy.

It wasn't the public who chose to privatise water, and we didn't see a penny of the £85 billion dividend payments that followed. We shouldn’t accept being stuck picking up the tab for their failure. If we want to put public ownership on the table, I need as many MPs as possible to show up and back this campaign.

That’s where I need your help.

Ask your MP to be there on the 28th March and back my Water Bill.

The more pressure we build, the better our chances of success. Even one letter—your letter—can make a difference.

Please do support Clive in his efforts to help fix the state of Britain’s water companies. 

Musk's Cringe Column 

On this day in 1998, Titanic became the first film to gross over $1 billion dollars. Let us hope that Captain Starmer can continue to steer HMS Britannia away from any Donald or Musk shaped icebergs…

Have a wonderful weekend as always, and in the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, I will be back..

Joshua Edwicker

Content Officer

Best for Britain