Keir Starmer, the Labour Party leader, is poised to take the reins of the United Kingdom, and his first month in office promises a whirlwind of international diplomacy. His global debut will begin just days away at the NATO 75th anniversary summit in Washington, followed by a European Political Community meeting in Blenheim Palace, where he will host leaders like Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz.
Labour, after a decade out of power, has pledged a foreign policy of ‘progressive realism,’ acknowledging the volatile nature of the world and the need to adapt accordingly. David Lammy, the potential Foreign Secretary, emphasizes that their approach will focus on ‘making Brexit work’ and forging an ‘ambitious’ security pact with the European Union.
The party’s China policy will involve a comprehensive ‘full audit’ across all government departments to determine the direction of their relationship with Beijing. While acknowledging the importance of cooperation on issues like climate change, Starmer has expressed the need to ‘wean’ the UK off its reliance on China in areas such as trade, commerce, and technology. The challenge will be balancing economic interests with security considerations, potentially complicated by the possibility of Donald Trump returning to the White House, who could increase pressure on allies to take a tougher stance against Beijing.
On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Labour has committed to recognizing a Palestinian state, viewing it as a crucial step towards a renewed peace process and a two-state solution. The party has not outlined a specific timeline for this recognition. Other key commitments include advocating for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and increased aid to Gaza.
Regarding Europe, Starmer has expressed a willingness to work with any government, including the far-right National Rally (RN) party in France if they come to power. He emphasizes the importance of both bilateral deals with France and agreements with the entire EU to address the issue of migrant crossings across the Channel. While acknowledging Marine Le Pen’s preference for bilateral arrangements, Starmer asserts that both approaches are not mutually exclusive. He stresses the need to strengthen existing bilateral agreements with France, particularly in cracking down on human trafficking networks. He also highlights the significance of a comprehensive security agreement with the EU to combat smuggling operations.
The UK has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine since the Russian invasion, providing significant financial, military, and training assistance. Labour has emphasized their continued support for Ukraine, and Starmer is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy early in his term to personally reaffirm this commitment. Starmer has ruled out a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, labeling him the ‘aggressor’ in the conflict. He emphasizes the need for a unified front in supporting Ukraine.
Labour has committed to a strategic defense review within the first year of their government to establish a path towards increasing defense spending to 2.5 percent of GDP. This review will assess the UK’s defense capabilities and priorities to ensure national security in a changing world.
