Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper have arrived in Munich for the annual Security Conference, where Starmer is set to deliver a pivotal speech on Saturday outlining his foreign policy vision.
Call for Enhanced NATO Commitments
In his address, Starmer will emphasise the need for the United Kingdom and European nations to significantly step up their commitments to NATO. He aims to avoid overdependence on the United States for defence, framing this as a critical response to calls from Washington for greater burden-sharing among allies.
Addressing the 'Sleeping Giant' of Europe
Starmer will describe Europe as a 'sleeping giant' in terms of defence capabilities, highlighting that combined European economies are ten times larger than Russia's. However, he will warn that fragmented industrial planning and inefficient procurement mechanisms across the continent have led to gaps and duplication, undermining collective security.
Countering Political Extremes
The Prime Minister will stress the importance of preparing the public for increased defence spending, arguing that failure to do so could leave room for 'peddlers of easy answers' from parties like Reform UK and the Greens. He will caution that such groups, on both the extreme left and right, pose risks to national security by being soft on Russia and weak on NATO.
Rebuking Brexit-Era Isolationism
In a clear pushback against Brexit-era politics, Starmer will condemn UK politicians who seek to avoid ties with Europe, particularly after Conservative scepticism about defence-based links. He will assert, 'We are not the Britain of the Brexit years any more,' and argue that turning inward in dangerous times would mean surrendering control rather than taking it.
Historical and Current Realities
Starmer will reinforce the interconnectedness of British and European security, stating, 'There is no British security without Europe, and no European security without Britain.' He calls for better cooperation on defence procurement to usher in a new era of continental strength and unity.
Context of US Relations
Downing Street officials clarify that Starmer's call is not driven by fears of US withdrawal from NATO but is a direct response to American demands for greater European contributions. This comes after last year's address by JD Vance, Donald Trump's vice-president, who criticised European leaders on issues like migration and free speech, questioning the compatibility of such values with US security guarantees.
Starmer's Vision for Autonomy
In pre-released extracts, Starmer outlines a vision for 'greater European autonomy that does not herald US withdrawal, but answers the call for more burden-sharing in full.' He aims to remake ties that have historically served transatlantic security well, while ensuring Europe stands stronger on its own feet.
Overall, Starmer's speech at the Munich Security Conference marks a significant moment in his foreign policy agenda, urging a collective European awakening to bolster NATO and safeguard against emerging threats.
