Keir Starmer Discusses Biden, House of Lords Reform, and International Relations in Exclusive CNN Interview

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
12/07/2024 17h37

In an exclusive interview with CNN's Jake Tapper, Keir Starmer, the newly appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, shared his thoughts on a range of topics, including his plan to enforce age limits for lawmakers in the House of Lords, his meeting with President Joe Biden, and his government's commitment to the NATO alliance.

When asked about his proposal to make lawmakers in the House of Lords step down after turning 80, Starmer emphasized that it was more about reducing the size of the unelected chamber rather than evaluating the fitness of older politicians. He pointed out that the House of Lords is currently the largest second chamber in the world, with over 800 members, and that downsizing it is a priority for his government.

Starmer also discussed his meeting with President Joe Biden at the NATO summit in Washington. Contrary to growing concerns about Biden's age and mental acuity, Starmer described the 81-year-old president as being "in good form" during their talks. While Starmer acknowledged that it is up to the American people to decide who their president should be, he did not express any concerns about Biden's abilities.

During the interview, Starmer reaffirmed his government's unwavering support for the NATO alliance and praised the "clarity of purpose" demonstrated by other member countries at the summit. He emphasized that the United Kingdom remains committed to increasing its defense spending to 2.5% of GDP, surpassing the NATO guideline of 2%.

The interview also touched upon Starmer's recent electoral victory, which ended 14 years of Conservative rule in the United Kingdom. Despite criticism of Labour's relatively low share of the popular vote, Starmer defended his party's success, stating that his team had successfully turned the Labour Party around after a dismal defeat in 2019 under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn. He attributed the victory to a focus on centrist policies that resonated with the British public's preference for reasonable and tolerant politics.

Starmer also mentioned his evolving stance on the British monarchy. Previously opposed to its existence, he now expressed interest in his weekly audience with King Charles III, emphasizing the value of their exchanges and the King's keen interest in politics and global affairs.

While Starmer ruled out rejoining the European Union, he expressed a desire to "reset" Britain's relationship with the bloc. His top priority as Prime Minister, he stated, is to restore economic growth in the country, which has stagnated since the 2008 financial crisis.

Overall, Keir Starmer's interview with CNN shed light on his plans for House of Lords reform, his positive assessment of President Joe Biden, his commitment to NATO, and his vision for a revitalized Britain on the global stage.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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