Starmer says UK will not support US blockade of Strait of Hormuz

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the UK will not support the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway for global oil supplies. This decision follows similar criticism from other US allies, including France, Spain, Turkiye, and China. Starmer emphasized the importance of reopening the strait, which has seen restricted traffic since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran, with Iran only allowing vessels from friendly nations to pass. His statement came as the US military declared it would block all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports, starting at 14:00 GMT, though the method of enforcement remains unclear. The US military claims the blockade will be impartial, affecting vessels of all nations.

Keir Starmer is advocating for closer alignment with EU rules, arguing it's in the UK's best interest amid global instability. The government plans to use "Henry VIII powers" in a new food and drink trade bill to dynamically align with evolving EU single market rules, potentially bypassing full parliamentary scrutiny. Starmer defends this approach as a way to ease trade, lower prices, and strengthen the UK's relationship with Europe, particularly in areas like defense, security, and energy. He emphasizes moving forward from Brexit debates, while the Conservative party criticizes the plan as undermining parliamentary sovereignty and ignoring the referendum result. The legislation aims to reduce burdens for businesses and address rising food and agricultural prices.