 and how does he globally see relations with Europeans tomorrow? 'It's normal for us to be able to address such questions of a strategic nature, with strategic partners ahead of an important election.' It is thought that Sue Gray, Sir Keir's new chief of staff, Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, and David Lammy, the shadow foreign secretary, will accompany him. The meeting amounts to a PR coup for Sir Keir, who is keen to groom his credentials as a statesman given Labour's 18-point lead in the polls and with a){kind=link}
Meeting will give Labour leader the chance to ‘test’ French reactions to his major policies
Emmanuel Macron will host Sir Keir Starmer at the Elysee next week as the Labour leader “tests the waters” with France.
It is believed Sir Keir requested the meeting and France agreed with a view to protecting the “strategic nature” of its relationship with Britain, whoever is in charge after the next general election.
The Elysee said the French president informed Rishi Sunak that he would receive Sir Keir for the first time when the two leaders met at the G20 summit in India last week.
The meeting, which will take place on Tuesday shortly before the King travels to France for his own state visit, is a break from protocol for the French president who generally only has tête a têtes with opposition leaders from his own “political family”, such as those belonging to his European Renew group.