Keir Starmer eyes central role in Europe as US faces political uncertainty

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted around 45 European leaders on Thursday at Blenheim Palace, about 100 kilometres from London, showcasing the UK’s diplomatic endeavours under the new Labour government after a 14-year Conservative rule. Starmer invited European leaders for a discussion over migration, energy security and threat from Russia in his attempt to revitalise the UK’s relationship with Europe. This comes when European leaders look anxious about whether the US will remain a reliable ally if Donald Trump wins his second presidency this November.  

The main focus of the European Political Community (EPC), a brainchild of France’s President Emmanuel Macron founded after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, was security and strategic cooperation. It offered a significant opportunity for Starmer to reset the UK’s relationship with Europe, especially after the previous Conservative government pulled out of the European Union through a Brexit vote.  

With the United States facing political turbulence as incumbent President Joe Biden is fighting his own demons in the form of reports of debilitating medical conditions, multiple calls by Democratic Party colleagues to step aside from the presidential race and a Covid-19 illness amid Trump’s supposed resurgence after surviving an assassination attempt, Starmer’s efforts to strengthen ties with European nations could not have been more timely.

The venue

The choice of Blenheim Palace, about 100 kilometres from London, as the summit venue carries symbolic weight. As the birthplace of Winston Churchill, a proponent of European unity, the choice of venue underscored the historical significance of European cooperation, with the UK playing the leading role on the continent, particularly in the western part of it.  

The grand setting serves as a reminder of the long-standing ties and shared history that bind European nations together. This symbolism was particularly poignant as European leaders are seemingly reevaluating their dependence on the US on issues of strategic significance for them as America appears more inward-looking and more vigorously involved in addressing arising from China’s growing assertiveness in the Pacific.  

Churchill, incidentally, had in 1946 called for establishing “a kind of United States of Europe…a structure under which it can dwell in peace, in safety and in freedom” on the continent.

Aiming for a resurgent UK-EU relationship

Starmer’s strategy to revitalise the UK’s role in European politics hinges on addressing shared concerns like migration and energy security, and reaffirming support for Ukraine. This meeting provided an early stage for Starmer to connect with numerous European allies, reinforcing his commitment to a “more active and greater convening role on the world stage”.  

And this is exactly what happened at the EPC meeting. Leaders from across Europe expressed support for Ukraine and also concern about the direction of the United States.  

“Our first task here today is to confirm our steadfast support for Ukraine, to unite once again behind those values that we cherish and to say we will face down aggression on this continent together,” news agencies quoted Starmer as saying.

He also said that the threat from Russia “reaches right across Europe”.

His vision for the EPC involves dismantling human trafficking networks and standing firm against Russian aggression in Ukraine. This ambitious stance aims to ensure that the benefits of renewed UK-European relations are felt for generations.

Ukraine at the forefront

The Starmer-hosted summit shored up Europe’s support for Ukraine’s defence and discussed ways to defend it in the name of democracy. The UK accuses Russia of attempting to undermine democracies across Europe with cyberattacks, disinformation and sabotage.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was not only a key guest at the meeting but also scheduled to address Starmer’s Cabinet on Friday — a rarity for a foreign leader as the UK prime minister seeks to emphasise his Labour Party government’s support to Ukraine.

The presence of Zelenskyy at the summit underscores the central theme of European solidarity with Ukraine. This comes at a crucial time, just a week after Nato’s commitment to bolster Ukraine’s air defences. The gathering projected a unified European front as it evaluates external threats, timed particularly to the political uncertainties the US is currently navigating through.

A more active role in Europe, on the world stage

One of Starmer’s key objectives at the summit was to lay the groundwork for a new security and defence pact with the EU. This aligns with Labour’s manifesto promise to re-establish the UK as a leading European nation.  

The summit provided a platform for Starmer to articulate his vision for a robust UK-EU partnership in security matters. Although EU officials are open to closer security cooperation, they caution that such negotiations will require concessions from the UK, potentially on contentious issues like fishing rights and youth mobility.

Asserting that the UK plans to take a more active role on the world stage, Starmer told the EPC gathering that his country would be “a friend and a partner, ready to work with you — not part of the European Union, but very much part of Europe".

He said the UK “will never withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights” — something the previous Conservative government had flirted with, to the alarm of its European allies.

Starmer’s bilateral meetings with key European leaders, including the Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and French President Emmanuel Macron, highlighted his proactive approach to diplomacy. These discussions may prove critical for establishing personal connections and setting the tone for future UK-EU relations. The summit’s informal format also allowed for candid dialogue, essential for addressing complex issues and fostering mutual understanding.

Addressing migration and energy security

The formal agenda of the summit included tackling illegal migration and people trafficking, enhancing Europe’s energy security, and defending democracy against disinformation.  

Starmer’s participation in the migration working group, co-chaired by Italy’s Georgia Meloni, signified the UK’s commitment to finding collective solutions to these pressing issues. The redeployment of 100 Home Office staff to expedite asylum decisions and return failed claimants came up as the Starmer government’s commitment to addressing migration challenges collaboratively with European partners.

His government plans to work more closely with Europol, the European police agency, to check people smuggling — part of Starmer’s election promise to beef up border security following the decision to scrap his predecessor Rishi Sunak’s contentious and unrealised plan to send migrants arriving in the UK by boat on a one-way trip to Rwanda.

At the EPC meeting, Starmer urged European nations to cooperate against “the vile trade of people smuggling".  

He said, “Let’s be frank — ‘challenge’ is the wrong word…It is now, I think, a crisis. We must combine our resources, share intelligence, share tactics, shut down the smuggling routes and smash the gangs,” Starmer said.

What Starmer may get out of it in the long run?

While critics may argue that the EPC is merely a talking shop without concrete outcomes, supporters highlight its value in fostering informal, yet crucial, discussions. The lack of a formal secretariat or decision-making power allows for a more flexible and open exchange of ideas. This format seemed to serve Starmer’s purpose of effectively addressing issues that require nuanced understanding and collaborative problem-solving.

Starmer’s efforts to engage with European leaders at the EPC summit conveyed what he had been saying throughout his election campaign that a renewed UK-European relationship was the need of the hour. By addressing shared challenges and fostering deeper cooperation, Starmer aimed to position the UK as a key player in European diplomacy.  

As the US faces political uncertainty, strengthening ties with Europe is not just strategic but essential for the Starmer government. This summit might just have marked the beginning of a new chapter in post-Brexit UK-European relations, with the potential to shape the future of the continent and the UK for years to come.