Starmer backs Danish PM on Greenland: UK politics live

Estimated reading time: 4 min

Key takeaways

  • Starmer aligns with Denmark on Greenland, endorsing the Danish prime minister’s position that Trump has no right to annex the island.
  • UK stance at the UN The UK will abstain if a UN Security Council vote targets Maduro’s arrest, prioritizing the US-UK relationship and avoiding a judgment on legality.
  • International law matters Starmer calls international law important but stops short of asserting Maduro’s removal breached it, emphasizing stability and a peaceful transition in Venezuela.
  • Context for independence debates The live updates unfold amid Scotland’s Holyrood election narrative and SNP calls for a majority mandate for another referendum.

Table of contents

Greenland and Denmark must decide the island’s future

Keir Starmer said he stands with Denmark after Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen asserted Donald Trump has no right to annex Greenland. He emphasised that Greenland’s future should be decided by Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone, underscoring the NATO alliance and the importance of stable, diplomatic decision-making rather than unilateral moves. The remarks sit amid ongoing international commentary and a busy week ahead for UK MPs interpreting the Trump focus in the Atlantic circle.

Maduro arrest and UK abstention at the UN Security Council

New reporting from The Times indicates the UK will abstain if asked to vote on a UN Security Council resolution criticizing the US arrest of Nicolás Maduro. A government source said Britain would not judge the action’s legality, warning that condemning it could jeopardise ties with the US during Ukraine-related discussions. A senior government line reiterated: “This was a decision by the US. It is not for us to make a judgment on whether it was lawful.” EU states have issued a joint statement recalling the need to uphold international law and the UN Charter.

International law, alliances, and why context matters

Starmer described international law as the anchor for Venezuela’s future but stopped short of asserting Maduro’s removal violated it. He stressed the importance of stability and a peaceful transition to democracy, while acknowledging the close UK-US security and intelligence relationship and the need for Washington to present a clear legal justification.

What to watch next in UK politics

The live stream situates these questions amid Scotland’s Holyrood elections, with SNP leaders framing a potential majority as a mandate for a second independence referendum. Readers can expect ongoing updates across Westminster, Westminster Hour, Downing Street briefings, and broader discussions about cost of living and national renewal as 2026 unfolds.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/jan/05/uk-venezuela-response-starmer-trump-labour-conservatives-latest-news-updates

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/jan/05/uk-venezuela-response-starmer-trump-labour-conservatives-latest-news-updates