The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Britain must not duck out of engaging with China, and referenced Brexit, saying the way it had been ‘sold and delivered’ was ‘simply wrong’
Sir Keir Starmer has defending a thawing of relations with China as he said the UK must not retreat from a world “more dangerous and unstable than at any point for a generation”. The Prime Minister criticised opposition politicians for their “corrosive, inward-looking attitude” towards global affairs in his annual Guildhall foreign policy speech.
Sir Keir doubled down on his Government’s warming relations with China, dismissing a “binary choice” between the “golden age” of engagement under David Cameron and the “ice age” under more recent Conservative prime ministers.
Amid security fears over China, he contended that refusing to engage with the nation constituted “a dereliction of duty”, adding: “This is not a question of balancing economic and security considerations. We don’t trade off security in one area, for a bit more economic access somewhere else.
“Protecting our security is non-negotiable – our first duty. But by taking tough steps to keep us secure, we enable ourselves to co-operate in other areas.”
Earlier in the year, the collapse of the trial of two alleged Chinese spies triggered a row over whether the Government had deliberately undermined the case to preserve relations with China – a claim ministers firmly rejected.
During his Monday address in the City of London, Sir Keir acknowledged that China presented “national security threats to the UK”. However, he also characterised the nation as “a defining force in technology, trade and global governance” and emphasised that Britain requires a China policy “that recognises this reality”.
He stated: “We’re absolutely clear that when it comes, for example, to defence, AI or our critical national infrastructure, we will always protect our security and our economic interests.
“But we’re also clear that in areas where there is no significant risk, we are going to give businesses the confidence, clarity and support they need to win these opportunities, with all the necessary mitigations in place.”
Sir Keir targeted those advocating for withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights or Nato, accusing them of promoting “grievance rather than hope” and peddling a diminished vision of Britain.
Sir Keir stated: “Moreover, it is a fatal misreading of the moment, ducking the fundamental challenge posed by a chaotic world – a world which is more dangerous and unstable than at any point for a generation, where international events reach directly into our lives, whether we like it or not.”
He continued: “In these times, we deliver for Britain by looking outward with renewed purpose and pride, not by shrinking back. In these times, internationalism is patriotism.”
Since assuming office last year, Sir Keir has been proactive on the global stage, heralding agreements with the US, India and the EU, and leading the “coalition of the willing” in support of Ukraine.
However, he has also faced backlash from his adversaries, who accuse him of spending excessive time abroad attending international summits instead of concentrating on domestic issues.
On Monday evening the Prime Minister provided a justification for his strategy, calling it “the biggest shift in British foreign policy since Brexit ” and “a decisive move to face outward again”.
Whilst stating he would “always respect” the Brexit referendum as a “fair, democratic expression”, he argued that the manner in which the UK’s EU exit had been “sold and delivered” was “simply wrong”.
He declared: “Wild promises were made to the British people and not fulfilled. We are still dealing with the consequences today.”
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