Starmer Seeks Closer EU Ties Amid Iran War

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced plans to pursue closer economic and security ties with the European Union in light of the ongoing war in Iran. According to multiple reports, Starmer stated that a summit with the EU later this year would be used to seek more cooperation on these fronts.

The prime minister's remarks come as relations between the US and UK have been increasingly strained by his refusal to draw the UK further into the conflict with Iran. In a news conference, Starmer warned that the conflict would impact the UK but sought to reassure the public that the government was taking action to ease the cost of living.

Starmer is facing calls from opposition parties to outline how the government plans to protect people from rising energy costs. The Conservatives and Reform UK are calling for VAT to be taken off household energy bills and for a scheduled fuel duty hike in September to be canceled. The Liberal Democrats also oppose the fuel duty increase, while the Greens advocate for billions of pounds to subsidize energy bills starting in July when the price cap is recalculated.

Starmer highlighted several measures coming into force this month aimed at easing the cost of living, including removing some green levies from energy bills and increasing the national living wage. He insisted that the government had been proactive in focusing on the cost of living. However, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has warned that the UK is facing the biggest hit to economic growth from the war among major economies.

Meanwhile, Starmer emphasized that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is in the UK's national interest, as Iran has effectively blocked this crucial oil shipping channel, leading to soaring wholesale oil and gas prices. The foreign secretary is hosting 35 nations, including European and Gulf countries, to discuss measures to make the Strait accessible and safe after fighting stops.

Starmer acknowledged that these are not new announcements but emphasized their importance in handling economic impacts of the conflict. He used phrases like 'a coming storm' which may be 'fierce', indicating a challenging period ahead for both the economy and political landscape. Despite criticism from opposition parties, Starmer has decided to hold off on emergency measures until autumn.

According to Daily Mail, Sir Keir Starmer was accused of using the Iran war to reverse Brexit as he hinted that the UK could rejoin the single market in all but name. The Prime Minister said tackling the fallout from the conflict requires closer partnership with Europe and the EU, creating economic and security opportunities too big to ignore. Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel accused Starmer of trying to 'reopen old Brexit wounds' to distract from Labour's economic failings.

Former Tory Cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke accused Starmer of shamelessly using the war in the Gulf to effectively reverse Brexit, while Reform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice described the EU as a failing economic bloc. Senior Labour figures have been pushing for closer ties with Brussels, with Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and Health Secretary Wes Streeting indicating support for rejoining the customs union.

Starmer announced plans for a UK-EU summit this summer and expressed ambition about closer alignment with Brussels. He claimed Brexit did deep damage to the economy but insisted he would not break Labour's manifesto pledges to stay outside the customs union, single market, and free movement. Ministers have agreed on aligning food and farming sectors permanently with EU rules despite having no control over future laws.

The Government has also signed up to rejoin the EU's Erasmus education scheme at a cost of up to £6 billion over seven years. A Labour source stated their intention to remove Tory Brexit barriers that killed growth and hiked prices, replacing them with common-sense economic reality benefiting the continent's economic resilience.

As reported by The Guardian, the ongoing war in Iran has caused a global shortage of jet fuel, leading to potential flight cancellations and increased costs for domestic travel. This situation has prompted more than 40 countries to hold virtual talks in London to discuss unblocking the Strait of Hormuz. The economic impact of the conflict is being felt globally, with Keir Starmer warning of challenging months ahead.

The Guardian also highlights that recent polling suggests 63% of Britons would vote to rejoin the EU if a referendum were held tomorrow. This shift in public opinion comes as Labour Party figures, including Nick Thomas-Symonds, have been negotiating deals to align more closely with EU rules on food and drink, despite manifesto commitments not to bring back freedom of movement.