Outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer warns that his likely successor, Labour leadership contender Andy Burnham, will not be able to focus only on domestic concerns once in office. In his first interview after announcing his resignation on June 22, Starmer tells the BBC that the UK’s next prime minister will face the same ongoing international turmoil and that domestic and foreign policy are linked.
Starmer argues that stability at home depends on action abroad, citing the situation in Ukraine and the Strait of Hormuz as examples. He says leaders cannot separate household costs and economic pressures from efforts to address global crises, adding that the world is more dangerous and volatile than it has been for much of his lifetime. He also frames UK involvement in the response as beneficial to national interests.
Burnham, currently running uncontested for Labour’s leadership, is expected to take office in mid-to-late July. In a social media Q&A, he says he would give “100%” support to Ukraine and indicates he wants to continue efforts to strengthen ties with the EU. Starmer says he will remain in parliament until the next vote.
