Prime Minister Keir Starmer has directly linked his frequent international travel to solving the UK's cost-of-living crisis, in a robust defence of his foreign policy agenda to sceptical Labour MPs.
A Direct Link Between Global and Domestic Stability
Addressing the parliamentary Labour party (PLP) on Monday night, Starmer argued that being "in the room" for crucial negotiations on international trade and defence was not a distraction from domestic issues, but a prerequisite for fixing them. He warned that the financial pressures facing British households "will not be solved by isolationism."
The Prime Minister, who has undertaken more than 40 overseas trips since entering Downing Street, stated his belief that global security and the cost of living are fundamentally entwined. "Promoting stability abroad will ultimately boost the economy at home," he contended, using the example of securing trade terms for major UK companies like Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).
An Upbeat Tone on "Change and Renewal"
In a notable shift from his recent messaging, Starmer adopted a more optimistic stance about the country's trajectory under his government. He told MPs that 2026 is viewed inside government as the "year of proof" and asserted that "Britain will see change and renewal this year."
He listed progress on the NHS, wages, crime, and infrastructure as evidence that the country is "moving in the right direction." Starmer sought to inspire his party, stating that each positive change demonstrates "that decline can be reversed" and that "politics can be a force for good."
MPs' Concerns and Leadership Challenges
This defence comes amid private concerns from many Labour MPs and advisers who want the Prime Minister to focus more time and visible effort on domestic issues. Recent polling indicates the public is critical of Labour's handling of the cost of living, with one YouGov survey showing Labour trailing behind the Conservatives and Reform UK.
Starmer's attempt to rally his cabinet last week, urging a relentless focus on the cost of living to win the next election, has been complicated by a series of international crises in Venezuela, Greenland, and Iran. However, some in Number 10 believe his statesman role on the world stage could bolster his leadership and deter internal challenges during periods of global turmoil.
The Prime Minister has been actively working to improve relations with his backbenchers, inviting them to Downing Street and Chequers, and spending more time in parliament. His appearance at the IKEA store in Croydon on Monday underscored his effort to connect global policy with everyday household budgets, visually reinforcing his argument that security and prosperity are linked.
