Melike Pala
09 April 2026•Update: 09 April 2026
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday said that he is “fed up” with the economic impact of global political decisions, accusing the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump of driving energy price volatility that is hurting UK households and businesses.
Speaking to ITV News during a visit to the Middle East, Starmer highlighted growing frustration over fluctuating energy bills.
“I’m fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy, businesses’ bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world,” he said.
His comments come against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting global energy markets, including developments involving Iran and the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Starmer also called for a halt to Israeli strikes on Lebanon amid a ceasefire with Iran, saying it “should stop” as a matter of principle.”
“But let me be really clear about it. They’re wrong … That shouldn’t be happening. That should stop,” he said.
Starmer added: “It’s hard to say that there is a breach when we haven’t all got access to all the details of the ceasefire … The question isn’t a technical one of whether it’s a breach of the (ceasefire) agreement or not. The question is actually a matter of principles.”
Asked about Trump’s recent threat that if Iran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz “a whole civilization will die,” he said it was “not language I would use.”
“We have our principles, we have our values. We will be guided by them in everything that we do,” Starmer said, reiterating that the government would not commit troops to conflict without a clear legal basis.
