Wednesday, April 01, 2026

UK Needs ‘Ambitious’ New EU Ties amid Iran War, Starmer Says

THE GUARDIAN: PM to focus on European defence and economic partnership for ‘dangerous world’ in pivot away from US

Britain’s long-term national interest requires closer partnership with the EU, Keir Starmer has said, citing war in the Middle East and the increasingly volatile international situation.

The prime minister indicated that the conflict had refocused the government on “ambitious” new ties with Europe, economically and in defence, and said how Britain emerged from the crisis “would define us for a generation”.

Starmer also used the address at Downing Street to announce that the foreign secretary would host a meeting of other countries later this week on how to unblock the vital strait of Hormuz. » | Ben Quinn | Political correspondent | Wednesday, April 1, 2026