Does the Trump-Starmer rift benefit the UK?

US President Donald Trump publicly criticises UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for refusing to allow US use of British bases in strikes against Iran, mocking him and questioning the strength of the UK-US alliance. The rift strains the 'special relationship', with risks to security cooperation, economic ties including US military spending in the UK, and energy prices amid Middle East tensions. Starmer prioritises British interests and legal basis for action, boosting his domestic approval in some polls while drawing warnings of long-term geopolitical isolation.