Outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says his successor will have to spend at least as much time on international crises and diplomacy as he has, arguing that foreign and domestic policy are inseparable. In a BBC interview, Starmer rejects criticism that his government has focused too heavily on external affairs. He says the “right balance” between international and domestic priorities is not really a choice, because Britain’s domestic situation is affected by an increasingly volatile global environment. Starmer also argues that diplomacy and foreign policy work feed back into national priorities, including the UK’s standing abroad. He points to achievements from his premiership, including support for Ukraine and involvement in international coalitions. Starmer said he announced he would step down after two years in office and faces opposition questioning his time spent on foreign policy. One potential successor, Andy Burnham, has said he would prioritise domestic issues such as living standards, housing, infrastructure, and devolving more powers to regions, but Starmer maintains that international commitments will remain central for the next prime minister.
Starmer says next UK PM cannot spend less time on foreign affairs
Outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says his successor will have to spend at least as much time on international crises and diplomacy as he has, arguing that foreign and domestic policy are insepa...
- Keir Starmer says the next UK prime minister will need to devote as much time to foreign affairs and diplomacy as he has.
- He argues foreign and domestic policy cannot be separated, citing a more volatile international environment.
- Starmer rejects suggestions that a successor could focus more on domestic issues.
- He points to support for Ukraine and participation in international coalitions as key achievements.
- Starmer announced he will step down after two years in office; some critics have questioned his foreign-policy time.
Outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pushed back against criticism regarding his focus on international affairs, asserting that global diplomacy is intrinsically linked to domestic priorities. He argued that Britain's next leader will inevitably have to balance both, highlighting his government's role in restoring the UK's global standing and supporting Ukraine as key achievements.
1 month agoOutgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer said whoever succeeds him would have to devote as much time to international crises and diplomacy as he did, rejecting suggestions Britain’s next leader could focus more heavily on domestic issues. Starmer, who announced last month that he would step down after two years in office, said in a BBC interview on Friday that foreign and domestic policy could not be separated as Britain faced an increasingly volatile world. “There’s often this discussion —what’s the right balance between dealing with international affairs and dealing with domestic affairs? They’re one and the same thing,” he said. Asked whether a prime minister could spend less time on diplomacy than he had, Starmer replied: “No, I don’t think it is possible.” Starmer has faced criticism from some opponents over the amount of time he has spent on foreign policy. Lawmaker Andy Burnham, widely expected to replace Starmer, has promised to focus on domestic priorities including living standards, housing, infrastructure and devolving more power to Britain’s regions. In a video titled “With Keir” and posted on X on Saturday, Starmer defended the international focus of his premiership, saying Britain had restored its global standing. He cited support for Ukraine and participation in international coalitions among his key achievements. “The fact that now other countries look to us for that leadership is something I’m really proud of having delivered in the two years we’ve had in government,” he said. Starmer also pointed to stabilising the economy, reducing child poverty and improving the National Health Service among his key accomplishments
1 month agoOutgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer said whoever succeeds him would have to devote as much time to international crises and diplomacy as he did, rejecting suggestions Britain’s next leader could focus more heavily on domestic issues. Starmer, who announced last month that he would step down after two years in office, said in a BBC […]
1 month agoSays that foreign and domestic policy could not be separated during BBC interview
1 month ago
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