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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned that China represents “genuine national security threats” to the UK, while also criticising how Brexit was handled. Speaking at the Guildhall in London, he said the British public were promised things during the referendum that were never delivered, adding: “How it was sold and delivered was simply wrong, and we are still living with the consequences.”
Starmer said it would be “deeply irresponsible” to use Brexit as a model for future foreign policy and condemned what he called a “divisive, inward-looking mindset” among some politicians. He singled out Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage, who want the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights, and Zack Polanski, who supports withdrawing from NATO. These positions, he argued, reflect a pessimistic view of a weaker Britain.
Although he opposed Brexit at the time, Starmer emphasised that the result was a democratic decision that he respects. He said Labour is now focused on rebuilding the UK’s global influence, both militarily and diplomatically.
On China, the prime minister said the UK must adopt a strategy that recognises the threat it poses. He rejected the previous swings between seeing China as an opportunity (“Golden Age”) and as an adversary (“Ice Age”), insisting instead on a balanced approach based on “strength, clarity and realism”.
He defended plans to visit China next year, saying refusing to engage with the world’s second-largest economy would be irresponsible. He acknowledged Beijing’s global influence in technology, trade, and governance, while insisting that national security comes first and “cannot be traded away for economic gain”.
Starmer also highlighted major business opportunities in China for sectors such as finance, creative industries, pharmaceuticals, and luxury goods, promising government support for UK companies seeking to expand there.
Sky News understands that Starmer is expected to sign off on a controversial new Chinese “super embassy” near the Tower of London, with a final planning decision due on 10 December.
Since becoming prime minister, Starmer has been active internationally, securing agreements with the US, India, and the EU, and leading efforts to support Ukraine. Critics, however, accuse him of focusing too much on foreign affairs rather than domestic issues.
Responding to the speech, shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel attacked Starmer’s stance, calling it a “naive reset” that puts the UK at risk. She argued that China continues to break economic rules, intimidate Hong Kongers in Britain, and back hostile nations like Iran and Russia. Patel said Starmer is “kowtowing” to Beijing and described his approach as “ill-judged”, even calling him “Beijing’s useful idiot”.
