Meloni charms Starmer, who can barely stammer out a few sentences | John Crace

To find the Italian PM is slightly more moderate than her reputation must have come as a relief to Starmer

What is it about Giorgia Meloni? First, the Italian prime minister charms Rishi Sunak so that he melts in her arms. Then, just a few months later, she does the same to Keir Starmer. So much so that in his opening remarks at their joint press conference Keir could barely stammer out a few coherent sentences. Rome was amazing! The weather was amazing! All true, of course, but hardly insights worth a 24-hour business trip to Rome. Meloni must think all British prime ministers are a soft touch.

There again, maybe Rishi and Keir were simply caught unawares. Giorgia often comes billed as some satanic presence. The acceptable face of fascism. Only ever since she came to power, she’s rowed back on the extremism.