On the 22nd of May, Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a snap general election, the United Kingdom will be going to the polls on July 4th. This comes as the Conservative party trails Labour by over 20 points in most electoral polls, leading to the strong likelihood that Britain will soon have a Labour government in power once again. 

What are the implications of a potential Labour government, how will that impact UK foreign policy? Lemma Shehadi highlights David Lammy’s (Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs) comments over what Britain’s foreign policy could look like under a Labour government. Shehadi notes ‘The UK needs to recover the “art of grand strategy” to reinstate its overseas influence in a troubled world, drawing inspiration from countries such as France, India and the UAE, [Labour's] shadow foreign secretary has said ... David Lammy outlined his prospective foreign diplomacy strategy on Friday, with Labour hoping to emerge victorious in a general election expected later this year … he made Labour's first call for a “pause” in arms sales to Israel, and shifted the party's position earlier this year when he called for an “immediate sustainable ceasefire” in Gaza … The UK government’s relations with these Middle East countries were often strained over Gaza and other conflicts in the region … Asked whether relations with the Gulf could be improved, Mr Lammy said a Labour government would work towards this.’ (Shehadi.2024) As Shehadi has identified, the comments made by Labour's shadow foreign secretary are a strong indication of Labour’s forthcoming foreign policy positions should he remain in his role after Labour's expected accession to parliamentary majority. Bolstering relations with Gulf states seems to be prioritized by Labour as well as reaffirming calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Patrick Wintour has also suggested a Labour government would draw closer the UK’s proximity to Europe on foreign and security issues. Wintour asserts ‘Labour wants to draw closer to Europe on key foreign and security issues by frequently attending meetings of the monthly EU foreign affairs council. The move, which is likely to trigger Conservative claims that Labour is prepared to abandon an independent foreign policy, builds on a pledge by Keir Starmer’s party to try to negotiate a new security pact with the EU after the 2024 UK election. Labour sources said the shadow foreign secretary, David Lammy, was not seeking ad hoc membership of the foreign affairs council or even voting rights, but needed to be involved in a more structured dialogue with Europe, given the importance of foreign affairs to UK national security and economy …In a wide-ranging article for Foreign Affairs magazine, Lammy hints at the idea, writing: “Given the difficult debates ahead with the US about defence burden-sharing it is ever more important that the UK develop closer foreign and security cooperation with the EU. Both parties must be honest about the gravity of this moment. From Ukraine to Gaza and the Sahel there is a conflict and instability near Europe’s borders that affects the UK and the continent’s interests equally. Yet the EU and the British government have no formal means of cooperation on foreign policy.” He said the UK must seek a geopolitical partnership with the EU of which the centrepiece would be a security pact.’ (Wintour.2024) As Wintour affirms, Lammy has outlined his ideas for renewed foreign policy and security cooperation between Europe and Britain should Labour win the 2024 general election. This renewed cooperation would centre around a security pact between the UK and EU. It is welcome news given the turbulent period Europe is experiencing following the Russo-Ukraine war. It remains to be seen whether Labour will form a majority government again on July 4th, however, the prospects of a Labour government are promising for the UK’s renewed foreign policy.