Sir Keir Starmer repeated his pledge for closer ties with the EU in a major foreign policy speech tonight.
The Prime Minister spoke of the importance of strong links with both Europe and the US in his address to the Lord Mayor’s Banquet in central London.
Sir Keir, who is scrambling to build bridges with Donald Trump after past Labour criticism, revealed he told the president-elect during their meeting in New York in September that the UK “will invest more deeply than ever in this transatlantic bond with our American friends in the years to come”.
He also reiterated his commitment to “rebuild our ties with Europe too” after promising a post-Brexit “reset”.
Sir Keir said: “There is no growth without security – and no security without alliances. So to fix the foundations we must meet this more dangerous age with an age of deeper alliances.
“Even closer ties with the US. An unshakeable commitment to NATO. And renewed relations with our neighbours in Europe – relations which on any objective assessment are vital for our growth and security.
“So we have already made progress on our reset, arranging regular UK-EU Summits at leader level and a shared ambition to work more closely where necessary, including through a new security pact covering foreign affairs and defence.
“This is about looking forward, not back. There will be no return to freedom of movement, no return to the customs union and no return to the single market. Instead we will find practical, agile ways to cooperate which serve the national interest.”
The speech, largely focused on foreign policy, comes as the PM is attempting to get his premiership back on track after just five months in office.
Tory co-chairman Nigel Huddleston said: “From driving business confidence to near record lows, working people punished with a jobs tax, growth projections slashed, and a dash to surrender British interests overseas. In five short months Keir Starmer’s government has set our country back.
“It’s no wonder he’s been forced into a desperate reset. It’s important the Prime Minister is straight about a clear plan to undo the mess Labour has put Britain in.”
In a separate speech on Thursday, Sir Keir will set out a “Plan for Change” which ministers and officials have denied is a reset but aimed at showing how the Government will deliver on the five “missions” set out in the Labour manifesto.
The PM’s official spokesman said: “We’ve been clear that this marks the next phase of our mission-led Government.”
It follows a backlash to the Budget including from pensioners, farmers and business chiefs, as well as plummeting poll ratings and the first resignation from the Cabinet.
