Starmer Must Choose Between The US And Europe
Clive Lewis MP
4 min read3 min
Europe is a far more compatible partner for the UK than an authoritarian, proto-fascist US. Failing to realise this could have catastrophic consequences for our country, writes Labour MP Clive Lewis
The Prime Minister’s dismissal of Britain’s need to choose between the United States and Europe as “absurd” is dangerously misguided.
Far from a minor strategic nuance, this choice is now central to Britain’s future security, economic prosperity, and democratic integrity. The idea that Britain can indefinitely balance these diverging alliances ignores the stark geopolitical realities reshaping the international order.
Geopolitically, the transatlantic relationship is fractured beyond easy repair. The Trump administration’s apparent willingness to sacrifice Ukraine’s sovereignty to secure Russian neutrality against China represents a paradigm shift with profound implications.
Britain’s staunch support for Ukraine must now integrate fully into a deeper European security architecture to remain credible and effective. The return of Donald Trump to power has brought isolationist, authoritarian impulses that threaten decades of alliance-building. Britain cannot afford strategic ambiguity in the face of such volatility and must anchor itself decisively within a unified European framework.
Economically, the paths between the US and Europe are diverging sharply. Choosing closer alignment with the US means deeper entanglement with a deregulated, oligarch-driven capitalism embodied by figures like Elon Musk and driven politically by Maga-style populism.
The moment demands clarity, not ambiguity
Trump’s administration has accelerated attacks on democratic norms, judicial independence, and civil liberties – trends incompatible with the values of any responsible Labour government. Whether we like it or not, this Trump administration must be seen for what it is: ugly, authoritarian, proto-fascism.
Europe, by contrast, despite its many imperfections, represents a distinctly more compatible economic and political model for Britain. Regulated capitalism, workers’ protections, collective security arrangements, and adherence to democratic norms offer a starkly preferable alternative. While far from perfect, the EU’s (at times wavering) commitment to social solidarity, human rights and pragmatic migration policies remains far more aligned with Labour’s vision.
Crucially, the Prime Minister’s reluctance to commit to Europe reflects dangerous indecision. Britain’s historical role as a bridge between continents is no longer viable given America’s evolving internal politics. Refusing to recognise this undermines Britain’s global standing and leaves the country vulnerable to exploitation by forces hostile to its long-term interests.
The choice Britain faces is not merely geopolitical but domestic. A far-right populist insurgency, led by Reform UK and Nigel Farage, waits to exploit the consequences of Labour’s missteps. Labour must avoid repeating the disastrous austerity experiments of the past, which have already paved the way for the likes of Trump and Farage. Economic hardship, inequality and social fragmentation – exacerbated by austerity – fuel far-right politics.
Clive Lewis
Labour MP Clive Lewis (Alamy)
Germany provides a critical example for Britain. Facing economic stagnation and a security paradigm shift, Germany is contemplating bold moves away from austerity towards strategic Keynesianism, embracing industrial policy and investment-led sustainable growth. This includes responsible increases in military budgets but prioritises substantial investment in economic resilience – one would imagine particularly in terms of EU supply chains and food, water, and renewable energy security. Britain must urgently follow Germany’s lead. Labour must decisively reject austerity proposals and instead pursue a comprehensive strategy for sustainable growth and resilience. Only this approach will fortify Britain against the rise of the far right.
A failure to act decisively would send a disastrous signal, reinforcing the narrative that Labour is out of touch, prioritising geopolitical manoeuvring over the genuine needs of citizens. Reform UK stands ready to exploit precisely this perception, intensifying divisions and further eroding trust in democratic institutions. Austerity to finance militarisation would undermine the very social fabric Labour purports to protect, deepening inequality and strengthening far-right extremism.
The moment demands clarity, not ambiguity. The Prime Minister must commit Britain unequivocally to alignment with Europe’s regulated capitalism and collective security framework. The alternative – a volatile America increasingly defined by Trumpist authoritarianism – is simply unacceptable.
Britain’s security, economic prosperity, and democratic resilience depend on this choice. Labour must urgently and decisively reject austerity, resist American far-right influence and embrace a Europe-oriented economic and geopolitical vision. Ambiguity now is not strategic flexibility – it is political negligence with potentially catastrophic consequences.
Clive Lewis is the Labour MP for Norwich South.
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