Sir Keir Starmer has called for the UK to develop closer ties with the European Union to deal with the global consequences of war in the Middle East, and warned Britons that the coming weeks “will not be easy”.
The prime minister said the “volatile” international situation caused by the US-Israel war against Iran meant Britain’s “long-term national interest requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe and with the European Union”.
He added that Brexit “did deep damage to our economy”, and the “opportunities to strengthen our security and cut the cost of living are simply too big to ignore”, but insisted that Labour's commitment at the general election not to rejoin the customs union, single market or freedom of movement remains in place.
Sir Keir’s attempt to bring Britain and the European Union closer comes after the transatlantic relationship was dealt yet another blow by Donald Trump, who on Wednesday said he was considering pulling the US out of Nato, branding it a “paper tiger”.
In response, Sir Keir attacked what he said was “noise” and “pressure” on the UK to enter the war, as he reiterated: “We’re not going to get dragged into it.” But as fears of an economic crisis at home grow, he added: “I do have to level with people on this, this will not be easy.”
However, in a sign of the continued importance of the so-called special relationship, despite the knocks it has taken in recent weeks, he claimed the move towards Europe would “strengthen our relationship with the US, because successive presidents have said that Europe needs to do more on their defence and security”. And in an attempt to de-escalate the crisis the foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, will chair a meeting of international leaders on Thursday to assess “viable diplomatic and political measures” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which is crucial to the world’s oil supply. Military planners will also “look at how we can marshal our capabilities” and safely open the waterway after any ceasefire, he added.
It came as the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said she was angry that Donald Trump chose to go to war in the Middle East, but she promised to keep costs down as prices continue to rise.
She told BBC Radio 2: “I’m angry that Donald Trump has chosen to go to war in the Middle East – a war that there’s not a clear plan of how to get out of it. It’s why we didn't want to enter this. We are preparing, as you would expect me to be, for every single eventuality... keeping costs down for everyone."
Best for Britain, a campaign group which calls for closer relations with the EU, said Sir Keir was “entirely right to seek far closer co-operation with our European allies and friends” in response to “Trump’s devastating Iran war”.
On Tuesday President Trump singled out the UK over Sir Keir’s reluctance to join the war, writing on social media that the US “won’t be there to help you any more, just like you weren’t there for us” and telling allies they would have to “get your own oil”, following a report that he told aides he would be willing to end the war without reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Experts predict household energy costs could rise by an average £288 from July.
The chancellor has indicated she will not provide a Liz Truss-style blanket energy bailout for households, instead focusing help on those who need it most.
