In his own response to his accusations and his threats to withdraw because the Allies did not stand by the US in the war in , the British Prime Minister gave his own answer, claiming that these threats are mainly “noise” and probably part of a negotiating tactic.
Pressure from the US for greater participation in the war
Starmer has said he has been pressured to change his stance on going to war, but he is not going to do it, because as he said regardless of pressure or public “noise”, as Britain’s prime minister he has a responsibility to act in the national interest of the country.
At the same time, he emphasized that the United Kingdom continues to work closely with the United States on defense, security and intelligence issues, as it has always done, while the planning regarding the Strait of Hormuz includes discussions with the Americans.
Britain wants closer relations with both the US and the EU
Asked whether Britain was choosing Europe over the United States, Starmer said campaign pledges not to join the European Union’s single market or customs union still stood.
However, he reminded that his party’s program also mentions the pursuit of a closer relationship with the European Union. As he emphasized: “I am not going to choose between the two, because it is in our interest to have strong relations with both the US and Europe. However, in the fields of defence, security, energy and the economy we need stronger cooperation with Europe.”
Movements for greater integration into the single market
Among other things, Starmer also referred to the possibility of Britain rejoining the single market, arguing that: “The United Kingdom and the EU have already taken steps in relation to the single market. I aspire to do more in relation to the single market, because I think that is extremely in our economic interest.”
As he added: “Obviously this is a matter of negotiation and discussion with the EU. The session we will have this year will not just be a debriefing session where we will look at the ten initiatives we set last year. It will be a conscious pursuit on our part to go further and cooperate more deeply, including in the financial sector.”
Finally, the British Prime Minister announced that he will host this week a meeting with representatives from 35 countries for the opening of the Straits of Hormuz.
