Keir Starmer has expressed frustration over the effect of actions by US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on British energy bills. In an interview with ITV’s Robert Peston, the Prime Minister said he was “fed up” with families and businesses seeing their energy costs fluctuate due to decisions made by the two leaders.
Starmer appeared to draw a parallel between Trump and Putin, stating: “I’m fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy, businesses’ bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world.” The remarks come amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, where US-led operations in Iran have impacted global energy markets.
The Prime Minister also condemned Israeli strikes on Lebanon, which continued despite a ceasefire agreement. “That should stop – that’s my strong view,” he said, adding that the question was not a technical one of whether it breached the agreement. Starmer also spoke with Trump on Thursday about restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, with a Downing Street spokesperson stating that the leaders agreed on the need for a “practical plan” to resume shipping.
Starmer’s relationship with the US administration has been strained since the conflict with Iran began. Trump has publicly mocked Starmer, sharing a parody video and stating he is “no Winston Churchill”. Similar criticism has been directed at French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who Trump threatened with trade cuts and military action over Spain’s bases.
In a Guardian op-ed, Starmer pledged his government would not simply “manage the crisis” but would ensure Britain is “a country where people are not at the mercy of events abroad”. He described the war in Iran as a “line in the sand” that would define a generation.
