Keir Starmer MP: speeches

Speeches

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for all the work she does on behalf of her constituents. Yes, I raised this issue in detail and made it clear that we were calling for Jimmy Lai’s release, plus other details of his health and the situation he is being held in. I believe it is the right thing to engage at the highest level on issues of such concern and to have that conversation—I believe that is a far better strategy than putting your head in the sand, which is apparently the policy of the Conservative party.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  This issue is so important, in terms of the opportunities that we have. That is why we had representatives from motor manufacturing with us. They are only too well aware of the great benefits that taking full advantage of the opportunities will have for her constituents and others.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for raising that period in our history, because of course, this was 2015 and 2016. The Conservative party had a manifesto in 2015 that dealt with the question of a referendum in relation to Brexit and also set out its position on China. I had a look at that very manifesto this morning; the Conservatives’ position was to “strengthen our economic links with China”, including seeking a free trade agreement. That used to be their position, then they veered to the other side of the road, and now they stick their head in the sand and pretend that they can influence events.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  Of course there are concerns; they are aired in this House. The difference between our parties is that our position is that the mature and serious thing to do is to have leader-to-leader discussions about them, engaging with the issues. The Conservatives’ approach is to shout about the issues, get a bag of sand and put their head in it, and influence absolutely no one. It is so unserious. They will not be fit for government for many, many years to come.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising this issue, which is of concern to his constituents across Scotland, and indeed the United Kingdom. No decision has yet been made, and I will update the House as soon as I can.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for raising this very important programme. He will be pleased to know I did discuss it with the Prime Minister in Japan, and we will be publishing our defence investment plan shortly.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  This is so pathetic. At the highest level and one to one, I raised each of the issues of difference between our two countries—each and every one of them—in the way that the House would expect, and that is what the Opposition are criticising. They seem genuinely to believe that these issues can be progressed or influenced by doing nothing about them. You have to be in the room to have a discussion, and that is what we did.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  Obviously, the general approach was set out in the Lady Mayor’s banquet speech I gave just before Christmas. My right hon. Friend made a really important point about Europe. As I mentioned, President Macron went to China just a few weeks ago and Chancellor Merz is due to go very shortly, and my right hon. Friend will not be surprised to learn that the three of us, as the E3, discussed in advance the approach we would take and agreed to discuss during our visits and afterwards the outcomes and how we go forward as a group of European nations.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for raising that issue and I can give him that assurance. I know how much it matters, and that is the approach we have taken.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  The Conservatives crashed the economy, so lectures from them on the economy are not welcome. As I said in my statement, national security is at the heart of our approach to China, as it is to every issue that we take up. It is quite possible to have a discussion about the opportunities available to our country while also safeguarding our national security. That is what we are doing in a grown-up, mature way.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  We had very productive meetings in Japan. Among the discussions was how we open up to more trade between our two economies.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  I raised a wide range of issues of concern to this House with President Xi, as the hon. Member would expect.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  That is my understanding in relation to all parliamentarians. I accept that in relation to others, we need to see how much further we can go.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  May I give this assurance to the hon. Member’s constituents? We absolutely believe in the importance of steel being made in this country, and that is why we took the necessary measures, on a Saturday, as he knows, in relation to steel production in his constituency.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  It will make a huge difference, which is why I discussed it with Volodymyr Zelensky before I went, in terms, and why I will discuss it with him again in the coming days, in terms.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  I thank the right hon. Member for raising this point—I know how much it matters personally to him and to the others that he referenced. I raised this point directly, and the response was that restrictions do not apply to parliamentarians. I accept the challenge and the point that we need to go further, but that does not mean that what we have achieved should be put to one side. I accept that we must go further, and I will work with colleagues across the House to do so. In order to go further, we have to engage, and we have to engage at the leader level.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  Only the SNP could go about this in this way—instead of welcoming the halving of tariffs on Scottish whisky, the right hon. Gentleman raises things that have absolutely nothing to do with China or Japan. Only the SNP has no interest at all in delivering for Scotland.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  The Conservatives’ position seems to be that if one has concerns in relation to China, the pragmatic thing to do is to buy a bag of sand and put your head in it. I do not think that is going to influence anything—nothing said here has any influence if you do not have a meeting.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  Let me give my hon. Friend that reassurance for those from Hong Kong, in his constituency and throughout the country, on the support that we will put in for them.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for that question, because Japan is a key colleague and partner when it comes to defence and security, which is why, across a range of issues, we discussed what more we can do, including on GCAP.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  We have taken a number of measures, including the further powers and tools we have given to our security and intelligence services.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  I pay tribute to the contribution that Lord Browne has made. I assure my hon. Friend that our discussions with China did include how we derisk the risk in relation to nuclear weapons.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  I have known Helena for many years. We shared a room when we worked together in chambers. We agree on many things, but not everything.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  We have had a Chinese embassy in this country since 1877. It is currently over seven sites; it is now going to be on one. The security and intelligence services published a letter the day after the decision was made to say that it was better for security in this country, and I think that is the right approach.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  The reason I spoke to Volodymyr Zelensky was to have a discussion in advance on the precise terms in which we would approach this issue. I then followed through on that, and I will talk to President Zelensky about this again in the coming days. We are working hand in glove with the Ukrainians for the outcome that we all want: a just and lasting peace.