Starmer: UK must be at heart of stronger Europe as US ties shift
Former UK prime minister Keir Starmer tells Dublin business audience the US shift under Trump is permanent, urging closer European economic and security cooperation.
The story in focus
Keir Starmer, in his first significant political intervention since leaving office in July, told a Dublin business audience that the UK must be at the heart of a stronger Europe, describing the change in US relations under President Trump as permanent rather than an aberration.
- Starmer spoke at the British Irish Chamber of Commerce in Dublin on Friday
- He said the US shift under Trump is a permanent change, not an aberration
- He called for cooperation beyond defence, including economic and security ties
- Starmer said Brexit had done deep damage to the UK economy
- Successor Andy Burnham will attend an EU-UK summit next month on food standards, energy and youth mobility
Permanent shift, not an aberration
The Guardian reported that Keir Starmer, in his first significant political intervention since leaving office in July, said the UK and other European nations must draw closer together as the US becomes a less reliable partner. He warned that the shift in relations with Washington during Donald Trump's presidency is unlikely to reset once Trump leaves the Oval Office.
Speaking at the British Irish Chamber of Commerce in Dublin, Starmer said Europe had twice been caught unprepared — first by Russia's attack on Ukraine, which exposed defence weaknesses, and second when Trump made clear the US would no longer bankroll European security. He said the US military, security and intelligence alliance remains important, but Europe must take far more responsibility for its own defence.
Beyond defence
Starmer said ties should extend past defence, citing deep economic damage from Brexit and calling for closer economic and security cooperation. He argued Britain must be central to a pan-European security framework, pointing to its nuclear status, Nato membership and next-generation fighter jet programme.
The report notes his comments reflect growing consensus on the left of UK politics that closer European ties are essential to economic and military security. His successor, Andy Burnham, said soon after taking office that he intended to be bolder about closer EU ties and will attend an EU-UK summit next month focused on food standards, energy and youth mobility.
What did Starmer say about the US relationship?
He said the shift in relations with Washington under President Trump is a permanent change of affairs rather than an aberration, and that things will not return to how they were before.
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