Sir Keir Starmer faced a fiery first Prime Minister's Questions of 2026 on Wednesday, 7 January, as he was accused of a 'Brexit betrayal' and pressed on a landmark pledge to deploy British troops to Ukraine.
Military Hubs for Ukraine and a Greenland Crisis
The session, against Tory counterpart Kemi Badenoch, followed the prime minister's significant announcement a day earlier. Sir Keir confirmed that the UK and France plan to establish military hubs across Ukraine once a peace deal with Russia is signed. The aim is to deter future aggression, with French President Emmanuel Macron suggesting thousands of troops could be sent to Kyiv.
The agreement, signed alongside President Volodymyr Zelensky at a Paris summit, was described as a major step in building a coalition to guarantee long-term peace.
Meanwhile, a transatlantic dispute simmers as former US President Donald Trump renews threats to annex Greenland by force, citing US national security and the territory's mineral wealth. European leaders, including Sir Keir, have issued a joint statement defending Greenland's sovereignty, asserting it 'belongs to its people' and rallying behind Denmark. The White House has not ruled out military action, stating use of the US military is always an option for the Commander-in-Chief.
Brexit Alignment Sparks Tory Fury
Domestically, the Prime Minister found himself under intense scrutiny over the UK's future relationship with the European Union. Sir Keir's stated desire to pursue 'even closer alignment with the single market' where it suits British interests prompted immediate backlash from the Conservative benches.
Opponents labelled the approach a fundamental betrayal of Brexit principles, arguing it would undermine UK sovereignty and the economic independence voters endorsed. This clash sets the stage for a defining political battle as the government outlines its post-Brexit strategy.
A Defining Start to the Political Year
This inaugural PMQs of 2026 has starkly outlined the government's challenging dual focus: projecting military strength and diplomatic unity abroad while navigating the deeply contentious legacy of Brexit at home. The commitments on Ukraine mark a bold and potentially risky foreign policy stance, while the debate over EU alignment guarantees that Brexit will remain a central and divisive issue in Westminster.
The convergence of these major policy fronts promises a volatile and consequential year in British politics.
