Marcos congratulates new British PM Keir Starmer, hopes for stronger ties

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended his congratulations to the new British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, on the center-left Labour party's landslide victory in the general election.

"On behalf of the Philippines, I extend my warmest congratulations to the Labour Party and Keir Starmer," Marcos said in a post on X on Saturday.

On behalf of the Philippines, I extend my warmest congratulations to the Labour Party and @Keir_Starmer.

We wish the new government success and look forward to further strengthening our deep and longstanding ties. ????????????????

— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) July 6, 2024

Marcos said he is looking forward to strengthening relations between the Philippines and the United Kingdom following the UK parliamentary elections held on July 4.

"We wish the new government success and look forward to further strengthening our deep and longstanding ties," the Philippine leader said.

Labour, led by new Prime Minister Keir Starmer ended 14 years of Conservative rule.

According to a statement released by the Presidential Communications Office on Saturday, diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the UK were established on July 4, 1946.

In 2021, both nations committed to enhancing bilateral cooperation through the UK-Philippines Enhanced Partnership, which focused on closer collaboration in trade, investment, technology, security and defense. — with reports from Agence France-Presse