Outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has warned that his successor will have no choice but to remain deeply engaged in international affairs, saying the growing instability across the world makes it impossible for any UK leader to focus only on domestic issues.
Speaking in his first interview since announcing his resignation on June 22, Starmer said the next Labour leader would inherit a world facing increasing geopolitical uncertainty, insisting that global events will continue to have a direct impact on Britain’s economy and national security.
Former Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, currently the only declared candidate to succeed Starmer as Labour Party leader, has said he wants to place greater emphasis on domestic priorities, including tackling the cost-of-living crisis and expanding regional powers. However, he has also pledged to maintain Britain’s strong support for Ukraine.
Starmer argued that international diplomacy and domestic governance are inseparable, stressing that decisions made on the global stage directly influence the lives of ordinary Britons.
“We’re living in a far more dangerous and volatile world than we’ve seen for much of my lifetime,” Starmer said, adding that any prime minister concerned about household costs must also pay close attention to conflicts such as the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
The outgoing prime minister also dismissed suggestions of personal differences with Burnham, saying he has no animosity toward his likely successor and wants the next Labour government to succeed.
Starmer, who led Labour to a landslide victory in the 2024 general election, confirmed he will remain a Member of Parliament until at least the next general election. However, he said he would avoid publicly directing his successor, preferring to allow the new leader to govern without constant intervention.
Reflecting on his decision to resign, Starmer revealed that he reached the conclusion after spending time with his wife and children at Chequers, the prime minister’s official country residence, where the family carefully discussed the future before making the final decision.
