Keir Starmer speaking at a previous summit (Image: Getty)
What you need to know about Keir Starmer at the Munich Security Conference
- Sir Keir Starmer is meeting European allies gathering in Germany at the Munich Security Conference. He is hold meetings with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, and then deliver a speech on Saturday.
- Some 50 world leaders are expected to attend the conference, which will discuss European defence and the future of the transatlantic relationship. It comes at a time when the US’s commitment to Nato has been called into question, following US President Donald Trump’s threat to take over Greenland from Nato partner Denmark, and his insults directed at various leaders.
- At last year’s conference, US vice-president JD Vance criticised European countries, including the UK, over free speech and immigration. It means all eyes this time will be on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is leading the American delegation this year. Conference chairman, ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, in a report ahead of the event, said: “For generations, US allies were not just able to rely on American power but on a broadly shared understanding of the principles underpinning the international order. Today, this appears far less certain.
- Sir Keir’s trip to Germany comes after his premiership was rocked by the controversies surrounding the appointments of Lord Peter Mandelson and Lord Matthew Doyle despite their association with sex offenders, two departures from Downing Street, and a call from the Scottish Labour leader for him to resign. The Labour leader did not attend last year’s conference.
- The Prime Minister’s big speech is expected to set out his “vision for the future of European defense security.” Dealing with the threat from Russia and boosting security in the High North, which includes Greenland, will feature prominently.