Starmer debuts Trump-style 'Prime Minister' branded fleece (2025)

Keir Starmer has debuted a 'Prime Minister' branded fleece - in an echo of US political styles.

Sir Keir was pictured wearing the top on a visit to the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier yesterday.

It is the first time since entering Downing Street last July that the premier has been spotted in a garment displaying his status.

Although long favoured in the US - by the likes of JFK, George W Bush and more recently Donald Trump - British politicians have been cautious about adopting them.

In 2008 Gordon Brown declined to take ownership of a personalised bomber jacket he was offered as a gift by Mr Bush during a trip to the States.

However, Boris Johnsonwas regularly pictured wearing branded outfits, whilePriti Patel donned a coat marked 'Home Secretary'.

Sir Keir was accompanied on his visit to the flagship carrier yesterday by Defence Secretary John Healey, whose own fleece was marked 'Secretary of State'.

The PM boarded the Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrieras it heads towards the Indo-Pacific.

The strike group will travel to the Mediterranean, Middle East, south-east Asia, Japan and Australia on an eight-month voyage, accompanied by escort ships from international allies.

Sir Keir was shown F-35 jets on board the carrier in Plymouth, Devon.

The Carrier Strike Group also includes destroyer HMS Dauntless and frigate HMS Richmond along with warships from Norway and Canada.

The deployment comes as US President Donald Trump pushes for Nato allies to do more to provide their own defence.

The £3billion carrier's journey to the Indo-Pacific is also aimed at demonstrating the UK's commitment to allies in the region nervous about China's actions in relation to Taiwan and disputed sea lanes.

Around 4,000 UK military personnel from the Royal Navy, Army and RAF will join Operation Highmast, with allies from Spain and New Zealand also set to take part along with the Norwegian and Canadian personnel.

A contingent of 18 UK F-35B jets will join the carrier in the days after departure, with that number increasing to 24 during the deployment.

Also joining will be Merlin Mk2 anti-submarine helicopters from RNAS Culdrose and Merlin Mk4 Commando and Wildcat helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton, as well as T-150 Malloy and Puma drones.

Keir StarmerBoris Johnson

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