Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said that global instability caused by the conflict in the Middle East has strengthened the case for Britain to align more closely with the European Union on security and the economy, following criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Speaking at a press conference aimed at easing public concern over rising energy costs, Starmer said the impact of the war would “define us for a generation” and could be similar to the energy price shocks of the 1970s.
“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,” Starmer said.
New Summit with EU Partners
He announced that in the coming weeks the government would hold a new summit with EU partners.
“I can tell you that at that summit the UK will not just ratify the existing commitments made at last year’s summit. We want to be more ambitious — closer economic cooperation, closer security cooperation, a partnership that recognises our shared values, our shared interest, and our shared future,” he said.
Britain’s Labour government has sought a reset with the EU, and Starmer said it was clear that the Brexit deal agreed by the previous Conservative administration in 2020 had caused “deep damage to our economy”.
Britain’s Position on the Iran War
Starmer also sought to clarify Britain’s position on the Middle East conflict, following criticism from President Trump, who has repeatedly blasted European allies for not joining the U.S.-led military campaign against Iran.
“This is not our war,” Starmer said. “We will not be drawn into a conflict that is not in our national interest. And the most effective way we can support the cost of living in Britain is to push for de-escalation in the Middle East and a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is such a vital route for energy.”
Trump on Tuesday again criticised European countries that had refused to join his war against Iran, calling out Britain and France, as transatlantic relations deteriorated amid the conflict that has driven up energy prices.
Based on reporting by Reuters. Additional analysis by The Credibility News.
