Britain's new prime minister made his first foreign policy statement. Unlike the Tories who wanted to be out but treated as if they were in Europe, he says Britain is out, and will remain out for the foreseeable future. When Prime Minister Starmer talks about a closer military alliance with Europe, the signal is not to Europe but to France. The message, we play together or we play with others, and the only other is America.
Starmer sent the message, unfortunately, France is unable to consider any proposal as it has no functional government until the post election mess can be addressed. The current caretaker government is unable to act. We can hope that the French will be quicker than the Belgians. Bottom line, Prime Minister Starmer is preparing the nation for the real push, if those in the East cannot engage us, we will look West, and I don't mean Canada. The process of engaging with the United States in an agreement similar to what Japan signed a decade ago, is now a policy objective in Downing Street. That means a full defence and economic pact with the Americans
The new Defence Minister is probably the most capable one this nation has had in a very long time. He is highly respected and will be the ideal person to have a frank exchange with the Americans about what is important, what is possible and what is really needed. America's defence chiefs are fully aware that they have made some major force projection errors, like concentrating all their eggs in their carrier groups. That means that Britain has a lot to offer, it can offer a very real and powerful addition to the American force project issues. The benefits are to both sides of a closer alliance.
Keir Starner has served notice that Britain is looking for an alliance partner and that it has two mutually exclusive choices. To the British public, it will look as if Downing Street is "giving Europe a chance". Starmer has basically said to Europe's defence chiefs, that we are open to a dialogue...he knows full well their likely reaction. Brussels is still enjoying its post-Brexit policy of excluding us from everything, only the French could modify that strategy, but they are otherwise engaged. That means that British diplomats and military leaders can aggressively push the policy of American integration, knowing that Europe will miss the boat.
Note: If I sound as if I approve of our new prime minister...you are right. He is off to an impressive start to his prime ministership.
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