The stakes were high for Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK this week. From questions over the appointment of Peter Mandelson and the US president’s links with Jeffrey Epstein, to criticism of the UK’s free speech laws – there was certainly no guarantee of success.
After a nightmare return to parliament for Keir Starmer, who saw the departure of both Mandelson and his deputy Angela Rayner in the space of two weeks, the prime minister needed a boost amid growing speculation that he may not remain in post until the next election.
