Starmer’s Travels Outstrip Past UK Leaders, Posing Ratings Risk

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(Bloomberg) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer traveled abroad on official business during his first six months in power more than any of his immediate predecessors, risking the perception that he is more interested in foreign affairs than addressing domestic policy issues.

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The Prime Minister has spent 31 days on business trips since taking office after Labour’s landslide victory in the July 4 general election, according to Bloomberg research. Excluding Prime Minister Liz Truss, who served seven weeks, that is far more than the 19-day average for all his predecessors since Tony Blair in 1997, analysis of Cabinet Office data reveals. Truss spent six days on an official trip.

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Starmer’s trips, from neighboring Ireland to destinations as far away as Samoa and Brazil, are part of an effort by the new administration to show that the UK is “back” on the international stage after years of turmoil as the country sought to fulfill its vote. Withdrawal from the European Union, leading to a loosening of relations with its closest neighbours. But by being abroad for too long, he also risks alienating voters who want him to focus on domestic issues such as the cost of living, NHS waiting lists and reining in legal and irregular migration.

“Being an international prime minister can be an incredibly positive thing,” Victoria Honeyman, a professor of British politics at the University of Leeds, said in an interview. But “if the internal situation does not change, if it does not begin to improve, then the criticism directed at him mainly because of his absence will receive a lot of attention because he seems to be essentially fleeing.”

The Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement that Starmer is working to rebuild the UK’s international standing after 14 years of Conservative administrations.

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10 Downing Street said: “Britain has returned to the shadow of this government, and since taking office the Prime Minister has begun to address the most pressing domestic and foreign policy priorities of the British people.” “We will continue to build global relationships to grow our economy and deliver for the British people.”

Starmer has so far made 16 official trips abroad, including G20 and Commonwealth summits, discussions with fellow European leaders, visits to troops abroad and sporting events. He spent 24% more days traveling in his first six months than the next best-travelled UK Prime Minister of the past 27 years, David Cameron, and more than twice as much time as both his immediate predecessor Rishi Sunak and former Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson. In the first half of their year.

The Prime Minister’s frequent travel is entirely his motivation, and he really enjoys the trips, which makes him feel important, according to a person familiar with the matter who requested anonymity because of the Prime Minister’s private views. They said Starmer told his No. 10 officials that his top priorities were both economic growth and foreign policy.

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When Starmer was asked about his travels in an interview with LBC Radio on December 17, he pointed to the £63 billion ($78 billion) of international investment in the UK announced at a summit in October, and said: He was able to attract money to Britain because “we are there defending the cause of our country.”

“There is a direct link between the work we do at the international level and the impact at home, and it is extremely important that this is done,” the Prime Minister said.

However, the Prime Minister’s penchant for traveling abroad has not gone unnoticed. Even by November, the phrase “Starmer always seems to be out there” was popping up in focus groups held by the think tank More in Common, according to its UK director, Luke Traill. British media, from the traditionally Labour-supporting Guardian newspaper to right-wing blogger Guido Fawkes, have scrutinized the details of his globetrotting.

Critics have questioned the necessity of some travel. A few prominent world leaders joined him at the COP29 climate change summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November, while many of the foreign leaders he met have had their influence waning, including outgoing US President Joe Biden, and the embattled presidents of France and Canada. Emmanuel. Macron, Justin Trudeau, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who faces elections in February.

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Furthermore, three of the visits were to sporting events: the opening ceremony of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, and the final in Berlin of the European Football Championship, which included England. Bloomberg’s tally does not include the Starmer family’s holiday abroad over the New Year.

Starmer argues that the world has become increasingly volatile in the wake of Russia’s war on Ukraine and the spread of conflicts across the Middle East, making it necessary to reset relations with the EU after Brexit and strengthen defense and security cooperation.

“I don’t necessarily think that just because the prime minister is out of the country means his hand is out of control,” Hanneman said. But she added that the Prime Minister would not face domestic criticism “if things go well in the UK.”

Starmer’s first six months in power have been marked by a series of missteps, including the freebies scandal he and other sitting ministers accepted while in opposition, and a series of economic measures that alienated pensioners, farmers and businesses. To make matters worse, the Prime Minister’s promise to stimulate economic growth has faded as the economy has contracted in recent months.

“Only by delivering at home will Starmer and his government be able to secure support for its expansive international agenda,” Olivia O’Sullivan, director of the UK’s global program at Chatham House, said in an online commentary in late November. “The Prime Minister may need to take more trips around the world yet, but he must continue to show why this is important.”

– With assistance from Ellen Milligan.

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