Sir Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister: The UK needs strong international relationships

The UK needs strong international relationships


Nick Robinson, presenter of the BBC Today programme and Political
Thinking podcast, speaks to Sir Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister,
about the importance of maintaining strong international
relationships.


In an interview recorded to mark Sir Keir’s first year in office,
he defends the time he’s spent developing alliances with other
world leaders. His critics claim he’s neglected domestic
politics, and point to a series of policy u-turns. But Sir Keir
tells Nick Robinson that building these relationships is
essential to protect the UK’s national interest, particularly in
a time of global conflict and instability.


Challenged over his domestic performance, he concedes he has
changed position on some policy decisions but describes himself
as a pragmatist who takes a common sense view in the light of
changing circumstances.


In this conversation, Sir Keir also reflects on the impact on his
family of his role as prime minister, and how he likes to relax
by playing football.


Sir Keir Starmer was elected in 2024 on a substantial majority,
returning the Labour party to power after fourteen years. Twelve
months on, his party’s approval rating has gone down in the polls
as it has run into a series of political difficulties.


Thank you to the Political Thinking team for helping to produce
this programme. The Interview brings you conversations with
people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best
interviews from the BBC. You can listen on the BBC World Service,
Mondays and Wednesdays at 0700 GMT. Or you can listen to The
Interview as a podcast, out twice a week on BBC Sounds, or
wherever you get your podcasts.


Presenter: Nick Robinson Producers: Daniel Kraemer and Lucy
Sheppard Editor: Nick Holland


Get in touch with us on email TheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the
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(Image: Keir Starmer. Credit: Reuters)