Asked how an apparent difference of opinion in Labour on the ICC stand-off might be resolved, Hartley said: “I think Keir has been tough and strong with his membership. And I’m not saying it’s been easy … We have said that Israel must comply with international humanitarian law, and civilians must be protected. There has to be a real two-state solution and a two-state solution that provides economic opportunity and rights to Palestine, we’ve said that from the beginning.”
The celebrated U.S.-U.K. ‘special relationship,’ Hartley said, is “not just special” but “essential.” She expressed confidence in continuity if Labour were elected next month.
She said, though, that she had been “a little bit surprised” that Sunak called an election. “It is a different system here, and in many ways better [than the US]. You call an election or you have an election in six weeks.”
“You have two thoughtful, smart, hardworking people who care about your country running against each other. So I don’t know who’s going to win, but we look forward to working with the winner and we don’t think this special relationship will change.”
The ambassador also confirmed that she has had meetings with Starmer and his powerful chief of staff, adding, “There is a strong team on both sides. And if you look at Keir’s team, very strong, Sue Gray, people like that.”
The close U.S.-U.K. relationship has not yet, however, yielded a post-Brexit trade deal, with many Brexit backers blaming the Biden administration for de-prioritizing negotiations.
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