‘That’s reality’: Burnham will have to focus on international affairs, Starmer warns
Outgoing prime minister Keir Starmer has warned his expected successor that he will have to focus on dealing with global turmoil, arguing the world is “more dangerous and volatile”.
In his first interview since announcing his resignation last month, Starmer said Burnham, who is anticipated to enter No 10 in the coming weeks, will be unable to commit less time with handling foreign affairs.
Starmer faced fierce criticism during his two year tenure about the amount of time he spent on the world stage, with some labelling him ‘never here Keir’.
Meanwhile, Burnham’s supporters in parliament expect the Makerfield MP to commit most of his time to domestic problems, including the cost of living crisis.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC, Starmer said: “It is not sensible to think you can just separate these two things out.
“This suggestion you can really, in the modern era, simply split up the international and domestic, is just…it just doesn’t make sense.
“It isn’t true. It isn’t right.”
Global turmoil will persist
Starmer also noted that the global issues the world is facing will persist, as leaders continue to deal with the fallout of both the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East.
He said:”Whoever’s my successor is going to face the same global conflict.
“We keep saying, and it’s true, we’re in a more dangerous and volatile world than we’ve been in for probably most of my lifetime. That’s not just a phrase, that’s reality.
“That’s not going to change. And the domestic challenges aren’t going to change.”
Starmer, who repeatedly vowed to face any Labour leadership challenges prior to his decision to stand down, described his decision to resign as “really, really tough” and “intensely personal”.
Starmer said: “I grappled with what was the best thing to do for me, for the country, for the government.
“And those discussions inevitably start with many discussions with colleagues, with parliamentary colleagues, with the team here, with my immediate advisers, with trade unions, so many people in that discussion.”
“No animosity”
While it is still unconfirmed who the next prime minister will be, Burnham is widely expected to be leader, with Starmer saying he “never had any personal animosity” towards the former mayor of Greater Manchester.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to remain as an MP until at least the next election but admitted he would be “keeping my mouth shut, rather giving constant advice to my successor about what they should be doing”.
Burnham has given some indication over how he might govern as prime minister, including his stance on foreign policy.
Taking part in an “Ask Me Anything” on Reddit, Burnham said he would give Ukraine “100 per cent” the same level of support as Starmer, as well as suggest he would continue efforts to create a closer relationship with the EU.
Elsewhere, he suggested he would stick to the 2024 Labour manifesto, ruled out calling an early general election and suggested he would advocate for electoral reform.