Keir Starmer has insisted Labour’s manifesto red lines on closer relations with Europe remain, as he signalled the UK government will seek stronger ties with the EU in light of the Iran war’s global impact.
The UK prime minister said the “volatile” international situation caused by the US-Israeli conflict with Tehran meant Britain’s “long-term national interest requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe and with the European Union”.
UK and EU negotiators are due to meet this summer to discuss closer ties on food standards and emissions, as well as a youth mobility scheme.
But Starmer suggested a closer security and economic partnership with the European Union was also needed in light of the Iran oil crisis.
Speaking at a Wednesday morning Downing Street press conference to address the cost-of-living spike caused by the war, Starmer was pressed by reporters whether he now planned to abandon Labour’s manifesto commitments on negotiating closer ties with the EU.
At the UK general election, the party promised to not seek a customs union, to re-join the single market, or establish freedom of movement as part of closer ties with the bloc.
The prime minister told reporters: “The manifesto commitments remain, but we made it clear in the manifesto that we wanted a closer relationship with Europe, so that is perfectly consistent with our manifesto.”
Starmer has previously said he will neither prioritise Europe or the US, stressing that a strong relationship with both is necessary for the UK.
He insisted this had not changed, despite signs his personal relationship with US president Donald Trump appears to have deteriorated.
The prime minister said: “I’m not going to choose because I think it is in our interest to have a strong relationship with the US and with Europe. But I do think that when it comes to defence and security, energy emissions, and the economy, we need a stronger relationship with Europe.
“I actually think that will help strengthen our relationship with the US, because successive presidents have said that Europe needs to do more on their defence and security.”
The prime minister had earlier told the press conference that he would seek to “guide our country calmly through this storm”, adding: “However, it is increasingly clear that as the world continues down this volatile path, our long-term national interest requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe and with the European Union.”
Brexit “did deep damage to our economy”, Starmer said, adding that the “opportunities to strengthen our security and cut the cost of living are simply too big to ignore”.
The prime minister said this year’s summit with the EU will not just be used to “ratify existing commitments made at last year’s summit”.
He added: “We want to be more ambitious.
“Closer economic co-operation, closer security co-operation, a partnership that recognises our shared values, our shared interest and our shared future.
“A partnership for the dangerous world that we must navigate together, a world where this Government will be guided at all times by the interests of the British people.”
Best for Britain, a campaign group which calls for closer relations with the EU, said Starmer was “entirely right to seek far closer co-operation with our European allies and friends” amid “Trump’s devastating Iran war”.
Naomi Smith, the group’s chief executive, said: “Ministers should – and must – go even further and faster on rebuilding those crucial ties, as independent economic research shows that the economic growth the British people need is only sparked by deeper alignment across all industrial and service sectors.”
Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel meanwhile claimed the prime minister was “desperate for someone or something to blame for the terrible failings he has overseen, and has his sights set on Brexit”.
She added: “But it’s his own Government that has sent the cost of living up, leaving families £1,000 worse off this year. Labour’s tax hikes and net-zero zealotry are causing misery for hardworking people while those on welfare get a bonus courtesy of Rachel Reeves.
“Rather than trying to reopen the old wounds of the Brexit years, Starmer should focus on fixing the mess he has created. Only the Conservatives will Get Britain Drilling, get bills down and cut taxes.”
