Nish Kumar

I will say that domestically, in terms of this phrase about boots on the ground, I if it were to be put to a parliamentary vote, I don't suspect domestically he would face a huge amount of opposition to that. I think there would be political pressure on him to not do that.

But I think given that the former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has already backed Starmer's plans, I'm not sure that there would be a huge amount of opposition internally to it.

But I think given that the former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has already backed Starmer's plans, I'm not sure that there would be a huge amount of opposition internally to it.

I think you're exactly right to point that out, because at the same time as European leaders gathered in Paris to respond to Trump's actions, shares in major arms manufacturers soared. BAE Systems, the UK's largest defence company, saw its stock climb 9% in London. In Paris, tails jumped 7.8%, while Rheinmetall surged 14% in Frankfurt.

I think you're exactly right to point that out, because at the same time as European leaders gathered in Paris to respond to Trump's actions, shares in major arms manufacturers soared. BAE Systems, the UK's largest defence company, saw its stock climb 9% in London. In Paris, tails jumped 7.8%, while Rheinmetall surged 14% in Frankfurt.

The StockX and European Aerospace and Defense Index hit its highest level since the early 1990s. So investors are certainly seeking to capitalize on this period of geopolitical instability.

The StockX and European Aerospace and Defense Index hit its highest level since the early 1990s. So investors are certainly seeking to capitalize on this period of geopolitical instability.

And it therefore follows that from an American perspective, whilst Trump may not have any interest in being part of any peacekeeping in the continent, he's certainly very, very happy, as you point out, to sell us weapons.

And it therefore follows that from an American perspective, whilst Trump may not have any interest in being part of any peacekeeping in the continent, he's certainly very, very happy, as you point out, to sell us weapons.

Look, if you're following the latest on Starmer's Ukraine boots on the ground comment and the European informal summit, you won't want to miss this week's Pod Save the World. They're breaking down the start of the US-Russia negotiations, which happened without Ukraine at the table, the Trump era shift in US foreign policy and what it all means for Europe.

Look, if you're following the latest on Starmer's Ukraine boots on the ground comment and the European informal summit, you won't want to miss this week's Pod Save the World. They're breaking down the start of the US-Russia negotiations, which happened without Ukraine at the table, the Trump era shift in US foreign policy and what it all means for Europe.

For the full global picture, check out Pod Save the World. New episodes every Wednesday, wherever you get your podcasts.

For the full global picture, check out Pod Save the World. New episodes every Wednesday, wherever you get your podcasts.

If you couldn't pick out that tune, that was Sandstorm by Darude. And I don't think I ever thought I'd be saying Keir Starmer's name in the same sentence as Darude. To borrow a phrase from the comedian Maria Bamford, I'm actually surprised that Sandstorm is still speaking to people.

If you couldn't pick out that tune, that was Sandstorm by Darude. And I don't think I ever thought I'd be saying Keir Starmer's name in the same sentence as Darude. To borrow a phrase from the comedian Maria Bamford, I'm actually surprised that Sandstorm is still speaking to people.

No, I think they're playing live. Wow. That's just brilliant. This is not a Milli Vanilli situation.

No, I think they're playing live. Wow. That's just brilliant. This is not a Milli Vanilli situation.

Now, look, last week we had our say on the government's latest moves on immigration, including denying citizenship to asylum seekers who arrive outside of legal channels and grossly sharing footage of people being deported. We called it performative cruelty. And it turns out loads of people within the Labour Party agree.

Now, look, last week we had our say on the government's latest moves on immigration, including denying citizenship to asylum seekers who arrive outside of legal channels and grossly sharing footage of people being deported. We called it performative cruelty. And it turns out loads of people within the Labour Party agree.

A group of over 900 Labour members and trade unions have signed an open letter decrying the government's latest moves, including MPs and former guests on our show, Nadia Whitham, Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Clive Lewis.