UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not hold back when addressing a growing frustration shared by millions across Britain. The Labour leader pointed fingers at two of the world’s most powerful figures over an issue hitting families where it hurts most.
Keir Starmer slams Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer drew parallels between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin over rising energy costs. Starmer expressed frustration during an interview with ITV News’ Talking Politics podcast on Thursday. He made the comments while visiting the Middle East amid a fragile two-week ceasefire in the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. The conflict has caused oil prices to soar following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
“I’m fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy businesses’ bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world,” Starmer said.
The British Prime Minister referenced Putin’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which sent energy prices rocketing globally. Starmer has tried to position Britain at the centre of a coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He broke with Trump early in the war by refusing U.S. permission to use British bases for offensive strikes.
Starmer also refused to directly address Trump’s threat that “a whole civilization will die” if Iran did not reopen the Strait. He said it was “not language I would use” and that British values would guide his decisions. The Prime Minister also ratcheted up criticism of Israel over deadly strikes inside Lebanon during the ceasefire. He stopped short of calling the strikes a formal breach of the agreement.
“But let me be really clear about it. They’re wrong. That shouldn’t be happening. That should stop,” Starmer said.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly defended Trump’s actions in a statement. She said Trump “took courageous action to ensure Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon.” Kelly added that the administration is “far along with a definitive agreement to deliver lasting peace.”
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on Mandatory.com.
