Starmer has advice for his successor on managing foreign affairs (File photo)
Outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has defended the amount of time he devoted to international affairs during his tenure, arguing that his successor will have no choice but to give equal attention to global diplomacy alongside domestic priorities.Speaking in an interview with the BBC on Friday, Starmer dismissed suggestions that Britain’s next prime minister could focus primarily on domestic issues after he announced last month that he would step down following two years in office.Emphasising the close link between foreign and domestic policy, Starmer said the challenges facing Britain meant the two could not be treated separately.”There’s often this discussion – what’s the right balance between dealing with international affairs and dealing with domestic affairs? They’re one and the same thing,” he said.When asked whether a future prime minister could spend less time on diplomacy than he had, Starmer replied: “No, I don’t think it is possible.”Starmer has faced criticism from political opponents who argue he devoted too much attention to international issues. Andy Burnham, who is widely expected to succeed him, has signalled that his leadership would place greater emphasis on domestic concerns, including improving living standards, expanding housing, upgrading infrastructure and devolving more powers to Britain’s regions. In a video titled “With Keir” shared on X on Saturday, Starmer defended his government’s international engagement, saying it had helped restore Britain’s standing on the world stage.He highlighted the UK’s support for Ukraine and its role in international coalitions as among the defining achievements of his premiership.”The fact that now other countries look to us for that leadership is something I’m really proud of having delivered in the two years we’ve had in government,” he said.Alongside his foreign policy record, Starmer said his government had stabilised the economy, reduced child poverty and strengthened the National Health Service during its two years in office.
