Starmer to say Iran war means Labour’s values needed more than ever at local elections campaign launch – UK politics live

Lead

Keir Starmer will today launch Labour's English local elections campaign with a warning that the war in Iran makes the party's values "more important than ever," according to extracts from his speech briefed in advance. The prime minister is also expected to chair a meeting in Downing Street on the economic consequences of the conflict, which has the potential to disrupt efforts to improve living standards, as reported by The Guardian.

In a separate interview on BBC Radio 5 Live, Starmer confirmed that the UK will not join the United States in enforcing a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz proposed by President Donald Trump. Asked whether Britain would support the US with its blockade, Starmer replied: "We're not supporting blockade."

Coverage Comparison

Two reports from The Guardian provide the basis for this article. The first focuses on Starmer's visit to Greater Manchester and his radio interview, where he addressed the UK's response to the Iran war. The second covers the campaign launch in the West Midlands and the Downing Street meeting on economic consequences. Both reports are consistent in their factual reporting, though they emphasize different aspects of the day's events.

The first report highlights Starmer's confirmation that the UK has "minesweeping capability" and is in discussions with allies about keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. The second report details the campaign launch and includes projections from Stephen Fisher, an Oxford politics professor and elections expert, which forecast significant Labour losses in the upcoming local elections.

Key Claims

• Starmer will argue that the Iran war means Labour's values are needed more than ever, according to pre-briefed extracts from his speech.
• The UK will not join the US in enforcing a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, as confirmed by Starmer in a Radio 5 Live interview.
• Starmer stated that the UK has "minesweeping capability" and is discussing with allies how to keep the strait open.
• Keeping the Strait of Hormuz open is vital to prevent higher energy bills, Starmer said.
• Starmer will chair a Downing Street meeting on the economic consequences of the Iran war.
• Labour launched its English local elections campaign in the West Midlands.
• Stephen Fisher's projections suggest Labour will face significant losses in the local elections.

Perspectives

Government and Labour perspective: Starmer's messaging frames the Iran war as a test of both national security and domestic fairness, arguing that Labour's values are essential in a "volatile world." He emphasizes the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to stabilize energy prices, while distancing the UK from the US blockade approach.

Electoral analysis perspective: Stephen Fisher's projections, based on current polling, indicate a challenging outcome for Labour in the local elections. The campaign launch is described as "low-key," with the Westminster press pack not invited for a full Q&A, suggesting an awareness of the difficult electoral landscape.

International context: The Iran war and its economic implications are central to the day's events, with Starmer's meeting in Downing Street focused on mitigating the impact on living standards. The UK's decision not to join the US blockade reflects a cautious approach to the conflict, prioritizing the reopening of the strait for global energy markets.