In his annual foreign policy address in the City of London, Keir Starmer said the UK’s place on the world stage had been restored under the Labour government
Keir Starmer has criticised the “wild promises” of Brexit and warned of a “dereliction of duty” in not engaging with China in a major speech on Britain’s global relationships.
In his annual foreign policy address in the City of London on Monday evening, the PM said the UK’s place on the world stage had been restored under Labour, as he hailed world-first trade deals, migration treaties and billions in commercial contracts.
He said that in an increasingly dangerous world, having strong international relations is “patriotism”.
Mr Starmer took aim at those who peddle a “corrosive, inward-looking attitude”, in a thinly veiled swipe at the Tories and Reform wanting to ditch the European Convention of Human Rights and at the Green Party’s ambition to leave the NATO defence alliance.
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Speaking at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet at the Guildhall, the PM said: “It offers grievance rather than hope. A declinist vision of a lesser Britain – not a Great Britain.
“Moreover, it is a fatal misreading of the moment. Ducking the fundamental challenge posed by a chaotic world – a world which is more dangerous and unstable than at any point for a generation. Where international events reach directly into our lives, whether we like it or not.”
He added: “In these times, we deliver for Britain by looking outward with renewed purpose and pride. Not by shrinking back. In these times, internationalism is patriotism.”
The PM was also clear that Britain must make its relationship with the EU work for British people, saying that while Brexit was a “fair, democratic expression”, the way it was sold and delivered was “simply wrong”. “The Brexit vote was a fair, democratic expression, and I will always respect that,” he said.
“But how it was sold and delivered was simply wrong. Wild promises were made to the British people and not fulfilled. We are still dealing with the consequences today.”
On China, Mr Starmer both acknowledged the “immense scale, ambition and ingenuity” of the country and the “national security threats” it poses.
“The UK needs a China policy that recognises this reality. Instead, for years we have blown hot and cold,” Mr Starmer said. “We had the golden age, which then flipped to an Ice Age. We reject that binary choice. So our response will not be driven by fear, nor softened by illusion. It will be grounded in strength, clarity and sober realism.”
He described the absence of engagement with the world’s second biggest economy as “staggering” and “a dereliction of duty”, adding: “In areas where there is no significant risk, we are going to give businesses the confidence, clarity and support they need to win these opportunities, with all the necessary mitigations in place.”
Since being elected, the Labour government has signed major trade deals with the EU, India and the US.
