David Lammy says Parliament owes Keir Starmer a "debt of gratitude"

Key Concepts

• G7 Summit: An international forum for the world's leading industrialized nations to discuss global economic, security, and geopolitical issues.
• Shadow Fleet: A network of tankers operating outside international regulations to transport sanctioned oil, often used by Russia to circumvent sanctions.
• E1 Area: A strategic zone in East Jerusalem; settlement expansion here is widely considered a major obstacle to a viable two-state solution.
• Sandhurst Agreement: A bilateral cooperation framework between the UK and France aimed at curbing illegal migration across the English Channel.
• Defense Investment Plan: A forthcoming UK government strategy to address defense funding and military readiness.
• SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) Deal: An agreement regarding food safety and animal/plant health standards, crucial for reducing trade friction between the UK and EU.

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1. Foreign Policy and Global Security

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy delivered a statement on behalf of the Prime Minister, emphasizing the government's commitment to global stability.

• Ukraine: The G7 maintains "unwavering support" for Ukraine. The UK is providing air defense missiles and a significant drone package, financed by profits from seized Russian assets. Russia’s economy is described as struggling, with nearly 500,000 casualties reported.
• Middle East: The government is supporting a US-Iran deal to prevent nuclear proliferation and ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz. A multilateral military mission, including demining support and the deployment of the Royal Navy’s "modular beehive system" (Kraken drone boats), is being organized to protect shipping.
• Sanctions: The UK has imposed 70 new sanctions on Russia, totaling 500 this year, targeting military supply chains and the "shadow fleet."

2. Economic Growth and Trade

The government highlighted recent international investment successes:

• Japan: A strategic partnership resulted in £18 billion of investment in infrastructure, offshore wind, and financial services, expected to create tens of thousands of jobs.
• France and India: Deals worth £1.3 billion in clean energy and AI were secured, creating 13,000 jobs in Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham.
• UK-India Free Trade Agreement: The government announced the entry into force of this agreement, projected to boost UK GDP by £4.8 billion and real wages by £2.2 billion.

3. Migration and Domestic Policy

• Illegal Migration: The government reported a 82% reduction in net migration over two years. The extension of the Sandhurst Agreement with France includes deploying new police units and riot squads to French beaches to intercept migrant boats.
• Brexit Reset: On the 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum, the government reaffirmed its intent to intensify economic ties with the EU. While a planned summit was postponed due to the Prime Minister’s resignation, the government insists this is a "pause, not a stop."

4. Political Controversy and Opposition Critique

The session was marked by intense debate regarding the Prime Minister’s resignation and the government's stability:

• Opposition Stance: Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch criticized the government for sending the Deputy Prime Minister to report on a summit he did not attend. She argued that the government is "paralyzed" by internal "psychodrama" and that the Prime Minister’s resignation proves a failure in national security and economic management.
• Defense Concerns: Several MPs, including those from the Liberal Democrats, pressed for the publication of the Defense Investment Plan before the upcoming NATO summit, citing concerns over military readiness and the resignation of the former Defense Secretary.
• Middle East Rhetoric: There was significant condemnation of inflammatory language used by members of the Israeli government (specifically Ben-Gvir), with the Deputy Prime Minister confirming that the UK has sanctioned individuals responsible for destabilizing the region.

5. Synthesis and Conclusion

The statement served as a defense of the outgoing Prime Minister’s foreign policy record, highlighting successes in rebuilding international relationships, securing trade deals, and maintaining a firm stance on Ukraine. However, the proceedings were overshadowed by the domestic political transition. The government maintains that its core objectives—economic stabilization, defense investment, and a "reset" of EU relations—remain on track despite the leadership change. The primary takeaway is a government attempting to project continuity and international competence while facing significant pressure to clarify its defense spending and future relationship with the European Union.