Only a few days after securing a landslide majority, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer flew into Washington D.C. this week for his first major global leaders' gathering at the 75th annual NATO summit. Keen to distance himself and his newly remodeled Labour Party from the polarizing foreign policy of former Leader Jeremy Corbyn, and with the backing of the British electorate, Starmer took the opportunity to project a new British government promoting domestic change but global continuity.
Amidst the handshakes, smiles and group photos emerged a new Prime Minister determined to promote the United Kingdom as a country of newfound political stability. With the tumultuous years of Brexit and changing Prime Ministers in the past, the landslide electoral mandate, won by a ‘Remainer’ Prime Minister, has enabled Starmer to quicky renew more positive relationships with European leaders nations who may have felt slighted during the Conservative’s tenure in office.
With the UK still the world’s sixth-largest economy, a G7 member, and a nuclear power with a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, this has been a welcome sight for many. However, it will also be envied by many leaders who find their own premierships at risk. Emmanuel Macron of France is under threat from both the left and right wings following the recent National Assembly election last week, Justin Trudeau of Canada is unescapably behind in national polls, and President Biden faces questions on his ability to govern after his disaster appearance at the recent Presidential debate.
As such, the NATO summit was a ready-made opportunity for Starmer to position the UK as the bedrock of stability in the midst of global disorder and conflict. His priorities include courting the EU member states present, promising to rebuild the relationship broken for many by Brexit. Saying this, Starmer continues to rule out any attempts at renegotiating Brexit, but has identified closer cooperation with the continent wherever possible.
Progressing his manifesto commitment of a new ‘Security Pact’ with the EU is also high on Starmer’s agenda, despite 20 of its members already belonging to NATO. Whilst the European Political Community gathering next week presents a better opportunity to flesh out this idea, Starmer will have certainly commenced discussions in Washington D.C.
Starmer’s key message throughout the Summit has been to maintain Britain’s commitment to its allies, particularly Ukraine. The Prime Minister has also assured Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, and other world leaders that the new government would stand by all military aid settlements made to Ukraine that were announced by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in April.
This security pact will keep Labour’s eye open to new avenues for security and defense dialogue between Brussels and London, changing the mindset towards European engagement that will be needed as the war in Ukraine continues.
For most at the summit this year, including inbound NATO Chief and former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, defence spending will be top of the agenda. With the world as turbulent as can be in recent years, the British leadership will be keen to promote the new government’s commitment to NATO ideals of a Western alliance to counter global threats.
Starmer avoided providing details on of timeline of increases UK defence spending during the election campaign. Despite reiterating his ambition to reach 2.5%, there still remains no concrete plan to achieve this, and Starmer’s refusal to commit to a date may not go down well with those looking to raise the required NATO spending commitment, a topic of frequent discussion. Unabashed.
This may be something he quickly regrets, as one large ‘elephant in the room’ hung over the majority of the discussions this week. With Biden down and almost forced out by his own party, the spectre of a new Trump Presidency hung over the summit. This second term may be more isolationist than the first, and mark the resignation of America’s unofficial leadership at NATO. It is Europe who may need to take the torch of supplying Ukraine, and Starmer may well find himself at the top of this ‘pro-Ukranian’ pack but without the resources necessary.
To further raise doubts on Starmer’s approach to the ‘Special Relationship,’ previous comments from many within the Labour team towards President Trump may leave a bitter taste in the potential next President’s mouth. With Trump’s disdain for those who have wronged him in the past, and his ability to hold a grudge, Labour might not be on the receiving end of a warm welcome from the former US president who feels emboldened by his possible re-election.
This likely future leaves the new British Prime Minister looking for renewed relations with allies closer to home. Whilst the future of NATO might be questioned by some in the United States, the future of British foreign policy looks clear, and Sir Keir Starmer has successfully announced his arrival on the world stage.