The UK is just about as undemocratic as the US, given that they too have a First Past The Post system, possibly even less democratic with their unelected head of state (which does actually has some power given that he can block legislation) and unelected second house of parliament (the House Of Lords, which even includes members who literally inherit the position).

Also and in case you have been living under a rock for the last 2 decades, the UK invariably joined every single “illegal under international law” invasion and bombing done by the US, most notably the 2nd Iraq war.

The rest of Europe definitely has issues too and a lot of hypocrisy, but amongst us all the UK is one of the least Democratic nations who least practice Democratic values, second only to the likes of Hungary - they talk a tall talk - pretty poshly too - all the while for example still supporting the Israeli Genocide in Gaza.

Absolutely, the UK joining the Single Market under conditions such as those of the EEA (i.e. similar to Norway) would be fine and be good for us all in the upcoming trade war, but being a member of the EU again with an actual vote and veto without having actually changed socially or in terms of political structures from the UK which kept on trying to squeeze special privileges out of the rest of the EU with never-ending threats of vetoing and even leaving (the last of which ended up fulfilled when they didn’t got the one-sided - only limiting others, not for Britons - removal of Freedom Of Movement they demanded), would be a huge mistake.

The EU is stronger, more nimble and less subverted by American interests without this version of the UK - as it is now and has been since at least Thatcher’s time - in it.

Once they evolve socially and politically out of 19th century system they’ve had over there for more than a century and become a modern European nation, I’m sure they would fit much better in an union that supposed to be for the common good and is not the an association of nations that follows the present day view of international politics of the British elites were such things are “non-war mechanisms for big nations to control smaller nations”.

(And I say this as somebody who lived in Britain for a decade as an EU immigrant).

This is just based on vibes, but I don’t think Starmer thinks he can change Trump. He’s being as non-committal as possible and treating Trump with the same sort of respect he’d like in return. Trump’s used to the cold shoulder or barely concealed anger from - ostensibly anyway - politically opposed politicians, so he actually reciprocates.

But, nice as this all is, it’s almost certainly a scorpion and frog situation. I expect Trump will be looking for some way to exploit this, and I don’t think Starmer’s blind to that. Starmer’s hoping we can get to the other side of that particular river, like, say, the best possible outcome in four years, without anything terrible happening to Britain (that hasn’t already).

Any obvious attempt at preparation for the worst will be taken as an act of subterfuge* and almost certainly hasten any unpleasant behaviour on his part.

* I’m not sure whether Donny knows that word, but he damn sure knows the meaning of it.