Starmer says UK and Europe must draw closer as US becomes less reliable
Keir Starmer has said the United Kingdom and other European countries must move closer together as the United States becomes a less reliable security partner. In his first major political intervention since leaving office, he argued that Europe has been caught out by changes in the security environment more than once. He said the shift in Washington's approach is not a temporary disruption, but a lasting change that Europe must adapt to.
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Speaking at the British Irish Chamber of Commerce on Friday, Starmer said Europe had twice failed to prepare for predictable events. He pointed first to Russia's attack on Ukraine, which he said exposed long-standing weaknesses in European defence and security. He then cited Donald Trump's position on European security, saying the United States would no longer bankroll Europe's defence in the way it once did.
Starmer said a stronger Europe was vital and that the UK must be at the heart of it. He said the military, security and intelligence alliance with the US remained very strong, but added that Europe needed to take on far more responsibility for its own defence and security. He also said the UK should pursue closer economic cooperation as well as closer security cooperation with European partners.
The comments come at a time when European governments are reassessing their security posture after Russia's war in Ukraine and amid uncertainty over the future of transatlantic relations. Starmer said the changes in relations with Washington during Trump's presidency were not likely to be reversed when he leaves office. That argument places more pressure on European capitals to strengthen their own capabilities and coordination.
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Starmer also linked the issue to the UK's economic position, saying Brexit had done deep damage to the British economy. He said he wanted a more ambitious relationship with Europe, extending beyond defence into wider cooperation. His remarks reflect a growing view among some figures on the left of UK politics that closer ties with Europe are now a practical necessity rather than a political choice.
He made the speech after spending time in Dublin meeting senior business leaders and politicians, including Taoiseach Micheál Martin, with whom he established the annual UK-Ireland summit. What remains unclear is how far his comments will translate into policy or influence the wider debate in London and European capitals. The immediate question is whether leaders will treat his warning as a call for deeper cooperation or as a broader political argument about the post-Brexit direction of the UK.
