Any UK prime minister faces deep foreign policy challenges \u2013 whether Starmer, Burnham or another<\/p>\n
EXPERT COMMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n Whoever is leading the country must deal with a fundamental shift in the UK\u2019s most important relations \u2013 with the US and Europe \u2013 in an increasingly dangerous world.<\/strong><\/p>\n After securing a strong victory in the Makerfield by-election, Andy Burnham has returned as a Labour MP and looks set to mount a leadership challenge against UK prime minister Keir Starmer. While there is still a possibility Starmer holds on, it seems likely that the UK will have a new leader before long.<\/p>\n Much of the debate around how Burnham, or other potential challengers, may differ from Starmer has focused on their approach to pressing domestic issues, especially the cost of living and growth, public services and immigration. Future relations with the EU have made the occasional appearance.<\/p>\n These issues are crucial. But Starmer\u2019s time as prime minister has been largely consumed by foreign affairs. Any potential new prime minister will face a relentless deluge of international issues and challenges.<\/p>\n This is not just the result of unexpected overseas crises, although there have been many of those. It is tied to the fact that the UK\u2019s most critical post-war relationships \u2013 with the US and Europe \u2013 are shifting.<\/p>\n There are positive lessons to take from Starmer\u2019s track record so far. But his government has struggled to address the deeper strategic questions \u2013 and find the resources \u2013 needed to tackle this fundamental shift and its impact on defence and security.<\/p>\n A new prime minister would have the opportunity for a reset. This would need to address the US\u2019s increasing reluctance to underwrite European security, the intensification of US-China rivalry, and the resulting increase in threats facing the UK.<\/p>\n