Ed Davey’s comments come after the PM angered Canadians by refusing to answer questions on Trump’s stance on Canada

Good morning. Keir Starmer and his government have got a busy week in domestic politics; today the crime and policing bill gets its second reading, tomorrow the planning and infrastructure bill is due to be published (there is a related announcement out now about energy bill discounts for people living near new pylons) and on Thursday the PM is due to give a speech about Whitehall reform. But the Trump/Ukraine crisis overshadows everything.

Last night Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of England, was elected leader of the Liberal party in Canada, which means he will become prime minister. Canadian election results don’t over take centre stage in UK politics, but Carney was elected promising fierce opposition to President Trump’s talk of annexing Canada and in London Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, is urging Starmer to fly to Ottawa this week “to stand in solidarity with the country’s new prime minister in response to Trump’s threats against Canada”. In a statement Davey said:

It’s vital for both British and Canadian security that we stand strong together. With global instability rising, it’s never been more important to show a united front with our Commonwealth friends – and to stand together against Trump senselessly turning the screws on his allies, whether that’s Canada, the UK or Europe.

Responding to the trade war along the North American border, our Prime Minister must stand in solidarity against Trump’s bullying and visit Ottawa in a joint show of strength. Starmer must be clear that Trump’s threats against Commonwealth nations’ sovereignty are unacceptable.

Trump allies will be vigilant for any coded message Charles sends, following the warm reception he gave Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Sandringham shortly after the Ukrainian was ambushed by the president and JD Vance in the Oval Office. The king’s move struck a chord in the administration, with a U.S. government official telling Playbook “people definitely saw it.” All eyes on whether Charles dons a maple leaf tie.