Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer found himself at the center of an online frenzy after a slip of the tongue during his Labour conference speech.
While calling for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, Starmer mistakenly referred to them as “sausages.” The gaffe quickly spread across social media, prompting a mix of ridicule and lighthearted memes.
When asked about the incident, Starmer admitted the mistake with good humor, acknowledging that he “mangled the beginning of the word” but was prepared to be teased. “These things are there to give you all the opportunity to rib me,” he added, taking the situation in stride.
The Prime Minister’s mistake occurred while addressing the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. In his speech, Starmer emphasized the need for restraint and de-escalation in the Middle East.
He called for “an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the return of the sausages – the hostages – and a recommitment to the two-state solution: a recognized Palestinian state alongside a safe and secure Israel.” The error was quickly corrected, but not before the internet took hold of the moment.
The Conservative Party wasted no time capitalizing on the blunder, posting a humorous video on TikTok that fused the gaffe with a “Star Wars” theme. The clip featured Starmer’s speech, followed by the now-viral “return of the sausages” line, before cutting to the iconic scrolling text used in the opening of the Star Wars movies. The TikTok garnered over 200,000 views in just a few days.
However, the joke didn’t come without some backlash. One user commented, “Because Boris Johnson has never accidentally said the wrong thing,” while another remarked, “First TikTok from the Conservatives that’s actually funny.” Despite mixed reactions, the video’s reach on social media highlighted the power of such moments in shaping public perceptions.
Meeting with Trump Adds Diplomatic Drama
Meanwhile, Starmer’s diplomatic efforts took a significant turn when he met with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
The two met in New York while Starmer attended the United Nations General Assembly. Trump, who described Starmer as “very nice,” expressed admiration for the Prime Minister’s leadership, stating, “He ran a great race, he did very well, it is very early, he is very popular.”
Starmer’s visit to Trump Tower came just ahead of the US election in November, with many viewing it as an opportunity to build relations with a potential future president.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of maintaining personal relationships on the international stage. “I’m a great believer in personal relations on the international stage,” Starmer said. “It really matters that you know who your counterpart is in any given country.”
The meeting, however, was not without controversy. Starmer was accompanied by Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who had previously called Trump a “racist KKK and Nazi sympathizer” seven years ago.
Despite this, the two sides appeared cordial, with both leaders focusing on the importance of the longstanding special relationship between the UK and the US.
When asked whether he would stand up to Trump on issues like Ukraine, Starmer reiterated the importance of the US-UK alliance, stating that it transcends individual leaders.
“The special relationship always sits above whoever holds the particular office, either in the US or the UK. It is really important.”
Keir Starmer
With Trump’s praise still fresh, Starmer carefully avoided speculation on any future challenges, diplomatically adding, “The US people will decide who they want as their president, and we will work with whoever is president, as you would expect.”
As the Prime Minister faces both humor and scrutiny for his recent blunder, his efforts to maintain strong international ties continue to unfold, reflecting the complex balancing act of global diplomacy.
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