'We should not be at the mercy of events abroad' - Starmer
BBC • • general
Key Points:
- UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the need for the UK to become more resilient to frequent global shocks, citing the Iran conflict as a recent example impacting the cost of living and energy prices.
- Starmer is on a Gulf tour meeting regional allies, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar, amid tensions over a fragile ceasefire in the Iran conflict and its effects on the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane.
- He advocates for energy independence and long-term reforms such as investing in renewable energy, strengthening workers' rights, and removing the two-child benefit cap to prepare the UK for ongoing global instability.
- Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper highlighted that global instability is becoming chronic, with recent crises like Covid, Ukraine, and Iran causing economic shocks, signaling that turbulence is the new normal.
- Opposition responses criticized Starmer's policies, with Conservatives opposing bans on North Sea drilling, Liberal Democrats urging better European alliances, and Reform UK calling for energy self-sufficiency and border control.
