The prime minister has vowed not to decide on between allies of the UK in a speech on international coverage.
Sir Keir Starmer mentioned his authorities would “by no means flip away” from its partnership with the US, and in addition promised to construct stronger bonds with Europe.
He additionally harassed the present “harmful instances”, saying stability was important for progress, so the UK should proceed to again Ukraine in opposition to Russia “as an erratic, more and more determined aggressor”.
He added: “There isn’t any progress with out safety – and no safety with out alliances.”
Talking on the Lord Mayor’s Banquet in London’s Guildhall, an annual occasion held by the Metropolis of London Company and the place the PM historically speaks on worldwide points, Sir Keir set out how the UK would now “stand tall on the world stage”.
“In opposition to the backdrop of those harmful instances, the concept that we should select between our allies, that in some way we’re with both America or Europe, is apparent mistaken,” he mentioned.
“I reject it totally. Attlee didn’t select between allies. Churchill didn’t select.
“The nationwide curiosity calls for that we work with each.”
There’s lengthy been hypothesis US president-elect Donald Trump could launch a commerce battle in opposition to Europe and scale back help for Ukraine, even Nato.
In such circumstances, analysts recommend Britain would come below stress from the US and Europe to take sides.
Sir Keir praised the incoming US chief as gracious, including that he informed him throughout their assembly in New York in September that the UK “will make investments extra deeply than ever on this transatlantic bond with our American pals within the years to come back”.
The PM additionally repeated his promise to rebuild and renew ties with Europe, which he mentioned had been very important to Britain’s safety and prosperity.
Sir Keir insisted it’s “deeply in our self-interest” to help Ukraine in opposition to Russian president Vladimir Putin as a result of “the way forward for freedom in Europe is being determined immediately”.
The UK is now “decided to combat tougher on the world stage for our nationwide pursuits and able to dig deeper to defend them”, he mentioned, as a result of a win for Putin would injury “our personal safety, stability and prosperity”.
“So we should proceed to again Ukraine and do what it takes to help their self-defence for so long as it takes,” he mentioned.
Supporting allies was what former prime ministers Clement Attlee and Winston Churchill had carried out, he mentioned, including that he considered the Attlee authorities of 1945 and its ambition to construct “a rustic match for heroes”.
“They usually noticed that sustaining our power overseas gave us the inspiration to succeed at house. That’s as true immediately because it was then,” he mentioned.
Now was the time, Sir Keir mentioned, to “strengthen our safety because the bedrock on which the financial system rests – and the last word guarantor of the whole lot we maintain expensive”.
Such phrases could also be examined come January if the US imposes tariffs on European goods and demands the continent trades less with China, all whereas forcing Ukraine to cede territory.
Nonetheless, Conservative Occasion co-chair Nigel Huddlestone mentioned it was Sir Keir’s authorities that had “set our nation again” since Labour took energy 5 months in the past.
He mentioned: “From driving enterprise confidence to near-record lows, working folks punished with a jobs tax, progress projections slashed, and a touch to give up British pursuits abroad – it’s no surprise he’s been pressured right into a determined reset.”
