Starmer says UK must build closer ties with Europe

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 1 Nov, 00:51 · Archive

Former prime minister Keir Starmer has called for the UK and Europe to draw closer together as the US becomes a less reliable partner.

Keir Starmer has said the UK and other European nations must work more closely together as the US becomes a less-reliable partner under Donald Trump. Speaking at the British Irish Chamber of Commerce in Dublin on Friday, the former prime minister warned that the shift in relations with Washington was permanent and would not reset after Trump leaves office.

Starmer, making his first major intervention since leaving No 10 in July, said Europe had been 'caught asleep' twice: first when Russia attacked Ukraine, exposing European weaknesses in defence and security, and second when Trump made clear the US would no longer 'bankroll' European security. 'A stronger Europe is vital and the UK must be at the heart of it,' he told the audience.

The former prime minister argued that Europe needed a 'common security framework as much as a common market'. He stressed that increased defence spending alone was not enough to address the challenge, which 'goes far beyond' that issue.

Starmer acknowledged that the US military, security and intelligence alliance remained important, but said the change meant 'enabling Europe to take on far more responsibility for its own defence and security'. He insisted this reflected a permanent shift in affairs rather than a temporary aberration.

The intervention came after Starmer spent time in Dublin meeting senior business leaders and politicians, including taoiseach Micheál Martin. During his premiership, Starmer had grappled with an increasingly strained relationship with Trump, disagreeing with the US leader over his refusal to involve the UK directly in the Iran war and his threats to annex Greenland.

How it is being reported

• Starmer warns change in Europe-US defence relationship is permanent and 'not Trump aberration'In his first major intervention since leaving Downing Street, the former prime minister warned that 'things will not go back to the way they were'.Daily Mail · 1 Nov, 00:35
• Keir Starmer says UK must get closer to Europe with US relationship changed foreverIn his first major intervention since leaving Downing Street, the former PM warned 'things will not go back to the way they were', and the US would no longer 'bankroll' its allies.The Mirror · 31 Oct, 16:21
• Starmer says UK must get closer to Europe as US relationship changesShift in dealings with Washington not likely to reset once Trump leaves Oval Office, former PM says The UK and other European nations must draw closer together as the US becomes a less-reliable partner, Keir Starmer has said in his first significant political intervention since leaving No 10. The former prime minister warned European leaders of the threat posed by Russia, among others, and said the shift in relations with Washington during Donald Trump’s presidency was not likely to reset once he leaves the Oval Office. And he accused them of being caught out by these new realities twice…Guardian World · 31 Oct, 13:17

In this story: Keir Starmer · Donald Trump · Russia · Ukraine · United Kingdom · Europe · Micheál Martin · British Irish Chamber of Commerce

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