The general elections in England on July 4, 2024 resulted in the victory of the Labor Party. After 14 years away from government, it has become a topic of curiosity what kind of foreign policy the Labor Party Government, led by Keir Starmer, will follow. The Labor Party is already giving the message that it will pursue more realistic policies in Europe and the world. For instance, it is estimated that the new government will work for a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza.[1]
Diplomacy traffic within the West is expected to increase in the first months of Keir Starmer’s office, who is expected to become Prime Minister. In this context, meetings with United States (US) President Joe Biden and European leaders will be the priority agenda of the government. The first significant contacts will take place at the 75th anniversary summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to be held in Washington on 9-11 July 2024, and a number of important bilateral meetings will be held at the European Political Community meeting to be held at Blenheim Palace near Oxford in England the following week. Keir Starmer’s Government will also have to handle with the difficult tasks of Brexit, fixing the economy and signing a sturdy security agreement with the European Union (EU).
One of the most curious issues in foreign policy concerns the future of relations with China. Since London-Beijing relations have had ups and downs during the last 14 years of the Conservative Party administration, it is a question whether the Starmer Government will want to put these relations back on track in the new era. In other words, it is uncertain whether these relations will become positive or negative.
During the administrations of former Conservative prime ministers Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, the view to China was a systemic opponent and that it needed to be countered gained prominence. This perspective led to cautious approach towards China’s activities that developed in the legislative and executive branches of the UK in recent years. In general, it is possible that the Starmer Government and the parliament will cooperate and take action in relations with China, especially on issues such as trade and technology. However, it is said that the Labor Party Government may cooperate with China on issues such as challenge with climate change.
This time, the Labor Government will take on the similar challenge that previous Conservative Party governments faced in establishing relations with China and will try to balance the UK’s trade-economic interests with security interests. However, if Donald Trump is re-elected in the US presidential elections, the Starmer Government may have more difficulty in establishing a positive dialogue with China. Because it seems inevitable that Trump will increase the pressure on allies to act harsher against Beijing. Considering the fact that the USA and the UK agree and cooperate in the fight against China at the global level, it is possible to say that the biggest challenges that the Starmer Government will face in the coming months will be relations with China, after the England economy.
Another issue that the new government will focus on will be the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In this context, ensuring an immediate ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas, releasing all hostages held by the terrorist group, and increasing the amount of humanitarian aid sent to Gaza will be among the fundamental foreign policy priorities.
One of the current challenges facing the new government will be managing immigration. Bilateral security agreements with European countries, particularly with France, will likely be a prominent topic of discussion in addressing this issue.
The future of support for Ukraine is another critical agenda item for the Starmer Government. Since the beginning of the war, the UK has been one of Ukraine’s biggest supporters. No significant changes are expected in this stance. Consequently, it is likely that the Starmer Government will reaffirm its support for Ukraine upon taking office and seek an early meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Additionally, the Starmer Government is expected to be under pressure from the US to strengthen NATO relations, increase defense spending, and reinforce transatlantic ties. Under Starmer’s leadership, it can be anticipated that the Labour Party will emphasize pragmatism and global cooperation in its foreign policy.
The Foreign Policy Agenda of the Starmer Government can be summarized as follows:
- Post-Brexit “Global Britain” Goal: London will strive to sustain Brexit and advance the goals of “Global Britain.”
- Management of Relations with the EU: An important task will be balancing post-Brexit relations with the EU and determining areas for cooperation. It will be necessary to continue cooperation in trade, security and other areas or start negotiations again.
- International Security and Defense Policies: The United Kingdom may need to review its international security and defense policies, particularly concerning Asia-Pacific strategies. Strengthening relationships with NATO and other allies, and potentially shifting these partnerships towards the Asia-Pacific region may be on the agenda.
- Global Climate Crisis and Sustainability: Combatting climate change and sustainable development goals will be key components of the UK’s foreign policy. It is of great importance how relations, international cooperation and agreements with China will be shaped within this framework.
- International Trade Agreements and Economic Relations: Negotiating new trade agreements and managing existing economic relationships will be among high priorities on the UK’s foreign policy agenda. The government is likely to focus on negotiating new bilateral free trade agreements, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
In conclusion, the Keir Starmer Government will face a significant challenge in managing these policy areas consistently. The future of transatlantic relations in this process will also be of particular importance. As continental Europe prepares for a potential Trump administration in the United States, the Starmer Government may need to adopt a “mediator” role to maintain healthy transatlantic ties. In any case, the priority for the government will be the economy. If it fails to succeed domestically, the Labour Government may have much time to focus on foreign policy.
[1] “What will the UK’s foreign policy look like under a Labour government?”, Times of Israel, https://www.timesofisrael.com/what-will-the-uks-foreign-policy-look-like-under-a-labour-government/, (Access Date: 05.07.2024).
