Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly preparing to accept an invitation to join former US President Donald Trump's newly proposed 'Board of Peace', an international body intended to govern the Gaza Strip following last October's ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The Structure of Trump's Peace Plan
This move forms a key part of Mr Trump's wider 20-point peace proposal for the Middle East, which advocates for a transitional international authority to manage the reconstruction and administration of Gaza. The board itself is to be headed and chaired by Mr Trump, and will include a select group of other world leaders.
According to a senior British official speaking to The Times, the inaugural gathering of this group is anticipated to take place next week on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Initial plans for the board had included former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair, but he is now expected to join a separate 'executive board' after reported objections from some Middle Eastern states regarding his full membership, likely linked to his role in the 2003 Iraq invasion.
Starmer Defends Foreign Policy Focus
The development emerges as Sir Keir faces domestic scrutiny over his international travel schedule, with critics dubbing him 'never here Keir'. Pressure is mounting for him to refocus on Labour's domestic agenda amid declining poll ratings.
Addressing these concerns at a Parliamentary Labour Party meeting, the Prime Minister robustly defended his diplomatic engagement. "In a world this volatile – you have to be on the pitch," he stated. "You have to be in the room to tackle the issues working people care about."
He argued that isolationism would not solve the cost-of-living crisis, peace in Ukraine required direct involvement, and securing trade deals for British companies like Jaguar Land Rover necessitated being at the negotiating table.
Formal Invite Awaited
While the Prime Minister's acceptance is expected, a UK Government source indicated that no formal invitation has yet been extended for Sir Keir to join the Board of Peace. Over the weekend, Mr Trump confirmed the board's formation was underway, telling reporters aboard Air Force One, "Essentially it's the most important leaders of the most important nations... Everybody wants to be on it."
The proposed board represents a significant, if controversial, attempt to shape the post-conflict future of Gaza, placing the UK Prime Minister at the heart of a major international diplomatic initiative spearheaded by the former US President.
