Starmer says UK must move closer to Europe as US ties change
Former UK prime minister Keir Starmer, in his first major political intervention since leaving office, urged Britain and other European countries to draw closer as the US becomes a less reliable partner. He argued the shift is permanent and will not reverse once Donald Trump leaves office.
Former UK prime minister Keir Starmer said on Friday, 31 October, that Britain and other European countries must cooperate more closely because the United States is becoming a less dependable partner. Speaking to the British Irish Chamber of Commerce, he made his first significant political intervention since stepping down as prime minister in July. The issue matters because it concerns the future direction of European security and economic policy.
Starmer said the change in relations with Washington under President Donald Trump is not a temporary aberration. In his view, things will not go back to how they were, even after Trump leaves office. He argued that Europe has already been caught unprepared twice: first when Russia's attack on Ukraine exposed long-standing weaknesses in European defence, and then when Trump made clear the US would no longer bankroll European security.
Broader cooperation
Starmer stressed that the US relationship remains important, because the military, security and intelligence alliance is too strong to fade. But he said Europe must take on far more responsibility for its own defence. He called for pan-European cooperation and coordination on defence and security, a common security framework alongside the common market. Britain, he said, must be central to that effort: it is one of two nuclear powers in Europe, a leading NATO member, has a next-generation fighter jet programme, and is pledged to work with allies to guarantee Ukraine's security.
He also said ties should go beyond defence. In his assessment, Brexit did deep damage to the UK economy, and he wants closer economic and security cooperation.
Starmer spoke after a visit to Dublin, where he met business leaders and politicians, including Irish taoiseach (prime minister) Micheál Martin.
Current government
Starmer's successor, Andy Burnham, said soon after taking office that he intended to be "bolder" about closer ties with the EU. Next month he is due to attend an EU-UK summit, where new agreements on food standards, energy and youth mobility will be the main focus.
