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Apr 01, 2026

Starmer Calls for Ambitious UK‑EU Partnership Amid Iran Conflict, Citing Security and Economic Benefits

AI Summary
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged a deeper UK‑EU alliance in defence and economics, linking the push to the ongoing Iran‑Israel war and the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz. While positioning the move as a national‑interest priority, he faced criticism from Reform UK and praise from Liberal Democrats and the Green Party, all against a backdrop of US‑UK tensions over NATO.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Downing Street staff that Britain’s long‑term national interest now hinges on a more ambitious partnership with the European Union, a stance shaped by the escalating war in the Middle East and the broader volatility of global politics.

He announced that the foreign secretary will convene an international meeting later this week to discuss ways to re‑open the Strait of Hormuz and ensure safe navigation once hostilities subside. Following that summit, Starmer said military planners will be brought together to assess how Britain can contribute to securing the vital waterway.

Emphasising a strategic pivot, Starmer said the UK’s future is increasingly tied to Europe, especially ahead of an upcoming EU summit that will go beyond merely reviewing last year’s “reset” commitments. He warned that Brexit inflicted deep damage on the British economy and that the opportunities to improve security and alleviate the cost‑of‑living crisis are “too big to ignore”.

At the summit, the government aims to secure closer economic and defence cooperation, a partnership built on shared values and mutual security interests. Starmer added that strengthening ties with the EU could also enhance the UK’s relationship with the United States, despite recent criticism from President Donald Trump.

When pressed about Trump’s remarks about possibly withdrawing the US from NATO, Starmer replied that he will act according to the British national interest, regardless of external “noise”. He also clarified that, while Labour’s manifesto does not call for re‑joining the EU single market, the government is open to negotiating deeper single‑market links if they serve Britain’s economic goals.

The speech drew sharp rebuke from Reform UK, whose deputy leader Richard Tice dismissed the idea of tighter EU ties as “ludicrous” and warned of the bloc’s past reliance on Russian gas. In contrast, Liberal Democrat Europe spokesperson Al Pinkerton hailed the remarks as an “overdue moment of honesty” about Brexit’s costs and urged the UK to scrap “red‑line” policies and consider a customs union as an economic imperative.

Green Party MP Siân Berry welcomed the shift, saying Starmer is finally recognising the need to look to European partners for long‑term security rather than relying solely on the United States.