Keir Starmer pushes for 'closer ties to EU' as he warns Iran conflict will 'affect the future of our country'

Alice Tomlinson
Wed, 01 Apr 2026 06:53:19 +0000

Sir Keir Starmer warned today the impact of the Iran war will “affect the future" of Britain.

In an address to the nation, the Prime Minister insisted “no matter how fierce this storm, we are well-placed to weather it” amid fears over surging oil and fuel costs sparked by Donald Trump’s conflict against the Islamic Republic in the Middle East.

He told reporters in Downing Street: “It is now clear that the impact of this war will affect the future of our country.

“So today, I want to reassure the British people that no matter how fierce this storm, we are well placed to weather it, and that we have a long-term plan to emerge from it a stronger a more secure nation.”

The Prime Minister also announced the UK will hold a summit with EU member states "in the coming weeks" in a bid to deepen ties to the union, but reassured Labour's manifesto remains intact in terms of not rejoining the single market.

His comments come moments after the US President revealed he considering pulling out of Nato after allies, including the Labour leader, refused to join his war with Iran.

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, the Republican branded the defence alliance a "paper tiger", adding: "All Starmer wants is costly windmills that are driving your energy prices through the roof.”

The Government publishes joint statement with leaders from 34 other states on Strait of Hormuz

World leaders have issued a joint statement roundly condemning Iran's attacks on commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure, and its effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, warning the actions pose "a threat to international peace and security."

The statement calls on Tehran to immediately halt its missile and drone strikes, cease mine-laying operations and comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817, stressing that "freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law."

It continued by warning that Iran's actions would be "felt by people in all parts of the world, especially the most vulnerable," and confirmed it would work to stabilise energy markets.

Leaders also confirmed their readiness to contribute to efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait, as preparatory planning gets underway among allied nations.

The Government published the statement alongside France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Romania, Bahrain, Lithuania, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Trinidad & Tobago, Croatia, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Panama, North Macedonia, Nigeria, Montenegro, Albania, Marshall Islands, Chile and Moldova.

'This is the wrong sign we're sending, not just to our enemies, but our allies' - Kemi Badenoch criticises HMS Dragon's delay

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch addressed US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth's comments on the state of the British Royal navy.

She described the British navy as "the best in the world", but in need of direction and funding.

Mrs Badenoch referenced HMS Dragon, which took weeks to leave Portsmouth harbour to help defend Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean.

She said on the matter: "This is the wrong sign we're sending, not just to our enemies, but our allies."

UK needs to invest in our own defence to ensure continuity of Nato, says Kemi Badenoch

The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch, has said the Conservatives would re-instate the two-child benefit cap in order to fund greater defence spending.

Speaking from Solihull, the Conservative party leader said that "Nato is absolutely essential for Western security" and to ensure continuity of the alliance, the UK must increase its defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP (gross domestic product).

She and her party would fund this through re-establishing the two-child benefit cap, which has just been lifted by the Labour Government.

Also, she said the Prime Minister should have announced a defence investment plan last year, but it appears there is not one yet in sight, leaving the country in the dark on its security and military spending.

Vital UK submarine bases rocked by DOUBLE scandal over links to Labour Chinese spy probe

Labour MP Joani Reid has become embroiled in a double scandal amid links to inappropriate conduct with two separate senior naval officers stationed at a key naval base.

The commander of one of the UK's nuclear-armed submarines stepped away from his duties this week following an investigation into his relationship with Ms Reid, whose husband David Taylor was detained last month on suspicion of espionage for China.

In a separate incident, Ms Reid departed the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme early last year after allegedly becoming "carried away" during an official visit to the Faslane naval base in Scotland, which houses the nation's strategic nuclear deterrent.

The Royal Navy opened its inquiry last year after allegations emerged that the married officer had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with the MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven.

Read the full story here.

'Another non-statement this morning' - Robert Jenrick dismisses Keir Starmer's press conference

Robert Jenrick, Reform MP, took to social media to slam the Prime Minister's press conference this morning.

He wrote on X: "Is Keir Starmer allergic to action?

"Another non-statement this morning.

"Drill the North Sea. Scrap the fuel duty rise. Take VAT and the stealth levies off energy bills."

Nato 'most effective military alliance', says Prime Minister

Sir Keir Starmer said to reporters: "Firstly, Nato is the single most effective military alliance the world has ever seen, and it has kept us safe for many decades, and we are fully committed to Nato.

“Secondly, that whatever the pressure on me and others, whatever the noise, I’m going to act in the British national interest in all the decisions that I make.

“And that’s why I’ve been absolutely clear that this is not our war and we’re not going to get dragged into it.

“But I’m equally clear that, when it comes to defence and security and our economic future, we have to have closer ties with Europe. That’s why we had the summit last year.

“This year, as I’ve just announced, there’ll be a further summit. There, we will make good on equipment that we put in place last year, but we will also go further in relation to the alignment.”

Manifesto commitments remain despite further cosying up to EU, says Keir Starmer

Labour's manifesto commitments remain, said Keir Starmer, despite announcing in the coming weeks the UK will hold a summit with EU member states, to develop a "deeper" relationship with the union.

The Labour Party said there will be no rejoining the EU single market, customs union or freedom of movement in their 2024 manifesto.

However, this latest announcement is clearly a move towards Labour's pledge to "reset" relations with the EU.

Keir Starmer vows for 'a fairer and more secure country'

Amid a conflict in which Britain's influence remains limited, Sir Keir Starmer has vowed the country will not simply revert to how things were once the fighting in the Middle East stops.

Speaking at a press conference, he said: "I'm not prepared to ask the British people once again, to go through a crisis, and say business as usual, back to the status quo.

"So on our economy, on our energy and on our defence, this time will be different.

"We will make Britain a fairer and more secure country, because that hope is what is needed as the country comes together, and because how we emerge from this crisis will define us for a generation."

'Brexit did deep damage to our economy' - new summit announced with EU partners

The UK will take part in a new summit with EU member states to ensure closer economic partnership with them.

The Prime Minister said: "Brexit did deep damage to our economy.

“The UK will not just ratify existing commitments made at last year’s summit.

“We want to be more ambitious, closer economic closer, security, closer economic cooperation, closer security cooperation, a partnership that recognises our shared values, our shared interest and our shared future, a partnership for the dangerous world that we must navigate together.”

Keir Starmer outlines the Government's five-point-plan to help UK households 'weather the storm'

Sir Keir Starmer said he will not bring the UK into another crisis which will ultimately harm the finances of UK households.

The Prime Minister outlined his five-point-plan in protecting UK energy prices from external shocks, which includes extending fuel duty cuts until September, cutting energy bills by over £100, allocating money to protect heating oil price shocks and investing in renewable energy.

He said: “In the coming weeks... we will continue to assess the economic affects, we will continue to stand up for the British national interest, and we will continue to do what we must to guide our country calmly through this storm."

'This is not our war' - Keir Starmer addresses the nation on Middle East conflict and energy price volatility

Sir Keir Starmer has emphasised again "this is not our war" in the Middle East.

Speaking from the Downing Street briefing room, the Prime Minister said the country is "working at pace for de-escalation".

He said he wants to "reassure" the public that the UK is "well-placed" to weather the storm.

Sir Keir announced that the Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, will host a meeting with allies to enter diplomatic talks in how to end the crisis in the Middle East.

'Judge me on my actions' - Chancellor says Government is preparing for all scenarios amid energy crisis

The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said the Government is "preparing for all eventualities" as the Iran war has created volatility in global markets, with the impact being felt by UK households.

However, she indicated there was no immediate help coming from the Treasury for motorists whose pockets were feeling the squeeze of rising oil prices.

Speaking to the BBC, she Chancellor said: “We’re preparing for all eventualities.

“We’ve already taken action with heating oil, for example, fuel duty is frozen until September and people will see from today a fall in their energy bills.

“But my principle – and judge me on my actions because ever since I became Chancellor, almost two years ago, I have been doing everything in my power to drive down the cost of living – we want to keep down prices for everyone, and then also have more targeted support.”

Rachel Reeves unveils new car tax changes today as millions face higher rates in 'unwelcome' move

Rachel Reeves' car tax changes have come into effect today, hitting petrol, diesel, electric vehicles and hybrid drivers across the UK.

Millions of motorists will now pay more in Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) after new rates, first set out in the Autumn Budget, officially began.

On average, drivers will see bills rise by around £5 a year, but drivers with more polluting vehicles could be hit much harder, with increases of up to £40 annually.

The Chancellor confirmed the changes would rise in line with inflation, although the move adds to growing pressure on households already dealing with high driving costs.

Read the full story here.

WATCH: Labour Minister Peter Kyle blasted by GB News’ Mark White over government extending migrant deal with French and failing to stop the boats

Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter Kyle, has been blasted by GB News’ Mark White over the government extending the migrant deal with the French and failing to stop the boats.

'Absolute disaster in diplomacy!' - Matt Vickers criticises Keir Starmer's lack of response over Middle East

Matt Vickers, shadow secretary for Illegal Migration said that Keir Starmer "dithered" in his response to the US's military operation in Iran, which consequently has damaged the "special relationship" with Donald Trump.

The lack of conviction from the Prime Minister has "soured" relations with other allies, Mr Vickers said, leaving UK nationals and military bases "at risk".

He called it an "absolute disaster in diplomacy".

Shadow Secretary on Illegal Migration slams Labour Government over increasing illegal migration

Matt Vickers, shadow secretary for Illegal Migration slammed the Labour Government this morning, citing that 30 per cent more people are arriving in the country under Sir Keir Starmer than the previous Conservative premiership.

He referenced the Rwanda deterrence scheme, spearheaded by Rishi Sunak, as an appropriate solution to the growing problem, but was dismantled by the Labour Party once they came into power in 2024.

Speaking to GB News, he said if Kemi Badenoch was in power, the Conservatives would leave the European Convention on Human Rights to improve the illegal migrant crisis.

What is happening in UK politics today?

Good morning, happy April Fool's from the GB News Politics team!

Here's what is happening today in Westminster and beyond...

Sir Keir Starmer will address the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the impact it is having on energy prices at home in a press conference this morning.

The Chancellor will be meeting with supermarket bosses this afternoon on the cost of living and how rising food prices can be eased.

From today, there are a raft of new measures coming into force, for instance, the National Living Wage rises to £12.71 and energy bills are set to be cut by an average of £117 a year... but, households will also see council tax, water bills, car tax, TV licences, broadband and stamp prices all increase this month.

On GB News, we'll be hearing from Matt Vickers, shadow secretary on Illegal Migration this morning.

Stay tuned for all things politics.