Sir Keir Starmer has called on the UK to forge closer ties with the European Union to deal with the global consequences of the war in the Middle East, and warned Britons that the coming weeks “will not be easy”.
The Prime Minister said the “fragile” international situation caused by the US-Israel war against Iran meant “the long-term national interest of Britain requires close cooperation with our European partners and the European Union”.
He added that Brexit “has done serious damage to our economy”, and “the opportunities to strengthen our defense and reduce the cost of living are simply too great to ignore”, but insisted that Labour’s commitment in the general election not to rejoin the customs union, the single market or freedom of movement remains.
Sir Keir’s efforts to bring Britain closer to the European Union come after the transatlantic relationship was hit by another blow by Donald Trump, who on Wednesday said he was considering pulling the US out of Nato, calling 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 will not be dragged into it.” But as the fear of economic problems is increasing at home, he added: “I have to agree with the people on this, this will not be easy.”
However, as a sign of the continued importance of the so-called special relationship, despite the knocks that have taken place in recent weeks, he said that the move to Europe will “strengthen our relationship with the US, because successive presidents have said that Europe needs to do more with their defense and security”. In order to try to defuse the crisis, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will hold a meeting of international leaders on Thursday to assess “effective political and diplomatic measures” to open the Strait of Hormuz, which is important for the world’s oil supply. Military planners will also “look at how we can organize our capabilities” and open the waterway safely after the war ends, he added.
It came as the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said she was angry that Donald Trump had chosen to go to war in the Middle East, but promised to cut costs as prices rose.
He told BBC Radio 2: “I am outraged that Donald Trump has chosen to go to war in the Middle East – a war from which there is no clear plan to get out. That is why we did not want to get into this. We are preparing, as you would expect me to be, for every eventuality … to save costs for everyone.”
Best for Britain, a campaign group seeking closer ties with the EU, said Sir Keir was “absolutely right to seek closer cooperation with our European partners and friends” in response to “Trump’s destructive war on Iran”.
On Tuesday President Trump singled out the UK for Sir Keir’s reluctance to intervene in the war, writing on social media that the US “will no longer be there to help you, as you were not there for us” and told the allies that they would have to “find their own oil”, according to the report he told aides that he would be determined to end the war without opening the Strait of Hormuz.
Experts predict household energy costs could rise by £288 from July.
The Chancellor has indicated that he will not provide Liz Truss-style blanket power assistance for families, instead, he will focus on helping those who need it most.
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