Speaking to the BBC in his first interview since announcing he will step down, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said international diplomacy and domestic policy are inseparable, arguing that global conflicts continue to have a direct impact on the UK’s economy and household living costs.
Starmer said the Ukraine war and Iran war have had “the biggest impact on the cost of living” in recent years. He argued that “if you’re prime minister and you care what bills are going to be like in any household around the country, you have to care about finding a lasting solution” to international crises.
Reflecting on the UK’s role abroad, Starmer said he was “proud of the fact that the UK is now regarded as a leader – a country that others look to and want to engage with,” citing cooperation with France and Germany on Ukraine and wider international security efforts.
Looking ahead, Starmer said “whoever’s my successor is going to face the same global conflict,” adding that the world is “more dangerous and volatile” than at any point in most of his lifetime, making international engagement an enduring priority for future UK governments.
ℹ️ BBC
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