Starmer says UK must get closer to Europe as US relationship changes
Former UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged European nations to draw closer together, warning that the US has become a less reliable partner following Donald Trump's presidency.
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.
Europe's security failures
Starmer accused European leaders of being caught out by new realities twice already. "A stronger Europe is vital and the UK must be at the heart of it," he told an audience at the British Irish Chamber of Commerce on Friday. "Europe has twice been caught asleep, failing to anticipate and prepare for predictable events."
First, when Russia's attack on Ukraine exposed longstanding European weaknesses on defence and security, and second, when President Trump made clear, once and for all, that the US will no longer bankroll our European security. We have to catch up.
Beyond defence cooperation
Starmer had called for closer European ties before stepping down as prime minister in July. Three months earlier, amid Trump's war with Iran and his threats to withdraw from Nato, he said Europe represented a "partnership for a dangerous world we must navigate together". He emphasized that these ties should extend beyond defence, noting Brexit had done "deep damage" to the UK economy.
UK's changing stance
His comments reflect a growing consensus on the left of UK politics that closer ties with Europe are essential to ensure economic and military security. Starmer's successor, Andy Burnham, has indicated he intends to be "bolder" about closer ties with the EU. Next month, Burnham will attend a crucial EU-UK summit focusing on food standards, energy and youth mobility agreements.
Starmer stressed that the shift represents a "permanent change of affairs, not an aberration of the Trump presidency." While maintaining that the US relationship remains important, he argued Europe must take on more responsibility for its own defence and security. "We need to build up pan-European cooperation and coordination on defence and security – a common security framework as much as a common market," he said.
Related
