Starmer Says UK Must Not Be 'At Mercy of Events Abroad' as Iran Tensions Rise

Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that Britain needs to build stronger defenses against global disruptions as international conflicts become more frequent.

Writing in The Guardian, Starmer said he was "thinking about the long-term, and remaking this country" so that people "are not at the mercy of events abroad." He specifically pointed to conflicts involving Iran as examples of the kind of "shocks" that are happening more often.

The warning comes as tensions in the Middle East continue to create uncertainty for global markets and energy supplies. Previous conflicts in the region have led to spikes in oil prices and supply chain disruptions that directly impact British consumers through higher fuel and food costs.

Starmer's approach focuses on building resilience across multiple areas, from energy independence to defense capabilities to key social policies. The goal is to reduce Britain's vulnerability to external crises that can quickly affect jobs, prices, and daily life for ordinary families.