UK prime minister Keir Starmer has highlighted growing geopolitical turmoil in his recent calls for closer relations with the European Union. They come after continuing taunts from US president Donald Trump against Nato allies, particularly the UK, for not supporting the US-Israeli war against Iran. Calling for “a partnership for this dangerous world we must navigate together”, Starmer emphasised closer defence and economic relations with the EU, signalling these will be central topics in their planned summit this summer. Politically too, Starmer has much to gain from this shift.
The geopolitical pressures from the Trumpadministration against Europe have reached crisis proportions, as its leaders realise a complete reset of transatlantic relations is now called for. The deepening damage caused by unilateral US-Israel war-making is forcing the pace. Starmer’s own reset with Brussels now needs strategic direction and detailed objectives.
Starmer now acknowledges the damage done by Brexit to the UK’s economy. His caution echoes divisions over antagonising traditional supporters and giving a campaigning advantage to the Reform party, which still leads in polls. Labour’s prospects in local elections on May 7th – and his own survival as prime minister – look perilous. So his call for closer EU relations, along with his recent conduct of international relations, has become an explicit argument made in his favour.
Starmer now needs to clarify what model of closer EU relations his government wants. He still insists it does not include membership of the customs union or single market due to their requirement for free movement of labour. The growing European consensus on deeper defence and security integration, in which the UK plays an indispensable part, will not deliver the benefits he seeks. Brussels is wary of a cherry-picking approach to sectoral economic relations and fears a reset could be undone by a Reform government. Indications that his government will introduce legislation allowing dynamic alignment with EU standards are a welcome response to those fears.