Prime Minister Keir Starmer has directly linked his frequent international travel to solving the UK's cost-of-living crisis, in a robust defence of his foreign policy agenda to sceptical Labour MPs.
"In the Room" for Trade and Defence
Addressing the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) on Monday evening, Starmer argued that being present for key global negotiations on trade and defence is essential for boosting the domestic economy. He warned that the pressing financial pressures facing British households "will not be solved by isolationism".
The Prime Minister, who visited Ikea in Croydon earlier on Monday, stated his belief that global security and living costs are fundamentally connected. "You cannot deliver peace in Ukraine without being in the room. And you do not secure trade terms for companies like JLR by putting gesture politics first," he told MPs.
Domestic Pressure Amid International Focus
Starmer's justification comes amid internal pressure. Many Labour MPs and advisers want him to spend more time in the UK focusing on home affairs, with polls indicating public dissatisfaction over the party's handling of the cost of living.
Despite this, Starmer has embarked on over 40 international trips since taking office. He contends that promoting stability abroad ultimately strengthens the UK's economic position. His new year plan, which emphasised a "relentless focus" on living costs to win the next election, has already been disrupted by international crises in Venezuela, Greenland, and Iran.
A Shift to an Upbeat Tone
In a notable change of rhetoric, Starmer adopted a more optimistic stance at the PLP meeting. He declared that 2026 is seen inside government as the "year of proof" and that Britain would see "change and renewal" this year.
He listed progress on the NHS, wages, crime, and infrastructure, asserting: "Britain will see change and renewal this year. Our country is moving in the right direction... With each change we make for the better, we show working people something even more important. That decline can be reversed."
This follows a charm offensive aimed at disgruntled MPs, including invitations to Downing Street and Chequers. Some in Number 10 believe his international stature could bolster his leadership and deter challenges during global turmoil.
The political backdrop remains challenging. A recent YouGov poll placed the Conservatives ahead of Labour for the first time since the general election, with both trailing Reform UK and Labour registering just 17%.
