Sir Keir Starmer has re-emphasised that he does not want Britain to be drawn into the US-Israeli conflict with Iran as he warned about the economic impact it would have on the UK.
Speaking at a press conference in Downing Street on Wednesday morning, Starmer told reporters: “The conflict in the Middle East has now entered a second month. And while we are working at pace for de-escalation and peace, it is now clear that the impact of this war will affect the future of our country.”
He continued: “I want to reassure the British people that no matter how fierce this storm, we are well-placed to weather it and that we have a long-term plan to emerge from it a stronger and more secure nation.”
Despite public criticism from US president Donald Trump, Starmer stressed that he did not was to see Britain further involved in the conflict against Iran.
“This is not our war. We will not be drawn into the conflict. That is not in our national interest”, he said, adding: “The most effective way we can support the cost of living in Britain is to push for de-escalation in the Middle East and a re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz which is such a vital route for energy.”
He went on to say that Britain had made a diplomatic push to attempt to do so, and had “brought together 35 nations around our statement of intent to push, as one, for maritime security across the Gulf” and that the foreign secretary would host a meeting of those nations later this week.
Yesterday, Trump voiced his dissatisfaction at Britain and other countries who have refused to join in their operation against the Iranian regime.
“All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT. You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil! President DJT”, he said in a post on Truth Social.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, he also said he was considering pulling out of Nato: “I was never swayed by Nato. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way.”
He also criticised the state of Britain’s military preparedness, telling the publication: “You don’t even have a navy. You’re too old and had aircraft carriers that didn’t work”.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said that his country’s relationship with Nato would be re-examined after the war with Iran was concluded.
He told Fox News: “If Nato is just about us defending Europe if they’re attacked, but them denying us basing rights when we need them, that’s not a very good arrangement. That’s a hard one to stay engaged in”.
Back in Downing Street, Starmer said that a closer relationship with Europe was necessary to “guide our country calmly through this storm”.
He added: “It is increasingly clear that as the world continues down this volatile path, our long-term national interest requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe and with the European Union”, saying that “progress on this front, on agriculture, electricity, emissions trading and more”.
The prime minister also claimed that measures announced by the government mean Britain is better shielded from the economic fallout of the conflict in Iran.
“Today your energy bills will be cut, because of our action at the budget and whatever happens in Iran, that price is now fixed until July,” Starmer said.
He went on: “Today, if you need a prescription, instead of rising as they used to, the price will be frozen for a year. Today, if you are working on the national living wage, your wages will go up.
“Next week, on Monday, the state pension will go up. Next week the two-child limit will be scrapped, lifting 450,000 children out of poverty - the vast majority from working households.”
However, the prime minister’s claim to be successfully protecting the British people from the economic effects of the war was rejected by shadow chancellor Mel Stride, who said: "Britain is weaker because of Rachel Reeves and Ed Miliband's choices. Tax hikes and Labour's net zero obsession are driving up costs and hitting families in the pocket.”
Stride accused the chancellor of offering “nothing but more borrowing, more taxes, more welfare - and working people are paying for Labour's spending spree. Hardworking families are almost £1,000 worse off this year, while those on benefits get ever more cash.”
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