‘Knows what his role is and isn’t’
Mythmaking comes far less naturally to Starmer, but he clearly sees some faint traces of similarities in their life stories. The PM places his own working-class origins in Oxted, Surrey, just 30 miles from where Burnett, two years his senior, grew up. “Keir recognizes the story of someone who made the best of his talents and is clearly a success story,” the same official added.
Starmer seemingly benefited from Burnett’s knowledge of how Trump operates. That night, according to the Times, he gave helpful advice on how to “navigate the White House” and had also been in close contact with McSweeney, Starmer’s chief of staff, since before Christmas. The meeting in the Oval Office was widely seen in Britain as a success.
“Having Mark in place has been vital in speeding up the usual ‘getting to know you’ phase of a new administration coming in. It’s clear the president likes and respects Mark, and in an administration where so many decisions are made in the Oval Office, cutting to the chase has real benefits,” the British official said.
“Mark knows what his role is and isn’t. He isn’t a policymaker but he is a vital bridge for policymakers to ensure both sides are talking the same language, niggles can be resolved and progress can be made.”
Burnett was there a fortnight later in the Oval Office, on Feb. 27, watching on, as Starmer handed Trump an invite from King Charles III for an “unprecedented” second state visit.
It was a fawning appeal to Trump’s mega-ego, but it also showed shrewd use of the royal family that the monarch-minded president adores to bolster Starmer’s chances of serving as some sort of transatlantic courtier.
