I think this sums up Starmer's position pretty well. He's trying to keep everybody onside, and I think it's why he tries to smooth the path rather than react and make dramatic decisions. Like you say, he's reactive rather than proactive and at times it makes him look indecisive.
The Mandleson issue is a case in mind, but I can see how it's panned out. He's given Mandleson the benefit of the doubt and without any concrete evidence initially, he tried to defend him. It's come to a position now where it looks like he should have fired Mandleson right from the off, but that only really applies with the benefit of hindsight.
All of that said, I think Starmer is a pretty good statesman and seems to do quite well at forging relationships and representing the best interests of the UK. like you say the ramifications of pissing Trump off would be felt by every household in the country and as much as in private he probably thinks Trump is a nobhead. He HAS to keep him onside.
