Security deal may give Starmer his EU ties

TL;DR

Starmer's EU Pivot: Keir Starmer eyes deeper EU security ties amid geopolitical tensions, moving beyond past Brexit finality pledges.
SAFE Fund Hopes: Ministers optimistic France will allow UK entry into the £130 billion European defence fund despite past fee disputes.
Labour Legacy Bet: Security-focused European integration could define Starmer's premiership and aid party survival in local elections.

The story at a glance

Patrick Maguire argues that Prime Minister Keir Starmer is pursuing closer EU ties through security and defence cooperation, invigorated by events like President Trump's war on Iran. Key figures include Starmer, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Defence Secretary John Healey, and EU Relations Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, with optimism around joining the SAFE defence fund and talks in Paris with Macron. This is being reported now amid upcoming local elections, Treasury rows over funding, and Labour's internal Brexit rethink.

Key points

Starmer once declared Brexit "done" in 2020 but now calls it a mistake that impoverished Britain; negotiations focus on food standards, agriculture, energy, and youth mobility.
Labour leaders doubt single market or customs union re-entry would boost polls, ruling out broader economic alignment.
Starmer's team emphasises "security" as core to governance, linking it to higher defence spending up to 2.5% of GDP by next year and "deeper integration" with Europe.
John Healey tells Starmer that responding to current risks could build a lasting legacy; Rachel Reeves highlighted security in her Mais lecture.
Lord Robertson criticised No 10 and Treasury in the Financial Times for insufficient ambition in defence strategy.
Cabinet ministers like Wes Streeting suggest funding via welfare cuts; options include war bonds or private sector involvement to meet fiscal rules.
Starmer heads to Paris on Saturday for Strait of Hormuz talks with Macron.

Details and context

Starmer's shift reflects a more instinctive leadership style, drawing from his 2022 slogan of "Security, Prosperity, Respect" and responding to Ukraine war and recent Iran tensions. Ministers hope war pressures will make the EU, especially France, more pragmatic on UK involvement in initiatives like SAFE, whose prior UK bid failed over entry fees.

Internal Labour debates intensify ahead of local elections: Sadiq Khan pushes rejoining the EU, Wes Streeting eyes the customs union, while backbenchers favour a Switzerland-style deal. Yet Starmer limits talks and prioritises security over economic resets, amid voter skepticism from polling.

Whitehall battles pit the Ministry of Defence against the Treasury, which notes Robertson's review assumes only 2.5% spending; Starmer's past under Corbyn showed similar caution on Europe.

Key quotes

Starmer in 2020: “That’s it. No more discussion about Brexit. It’s done.”

Why it matters

Geopolitical shifts like the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz issues elevate security as a lever for UK-EU relations beyond Brexit's economic scars. For voters and businesses, it signals potential defence spending hikes and trade-offs like welfare cuts, without immediate single market gains. Watch Paris talks and local election results for signs of bolder integration or funding breakthroughs, though Treasury constraints may limit progress.