The stranglehold on the shipping route, through which a fifth of global oil usually flows, has played havoc with countries’ economies across the world.
Speaking to the BBC, Sir Keir said: “My strong view is that many, many voters, many people across the country are frustrated that they haven’t seen the change they want to see in this country. We’ve flatlined for the best part of 20 years.
“And I’ll tell you why I think that is. That is because each time we have a crisis like this, whether it’s the 2008 crash, whether it’s Brexit, Covid, the government of the day aspires to get back to the status quo as quickly as possible.
“But the status quo wasn’t working. And therefore, we cannot do that again. We have to take a different course in response to this crisis.”
Asked if he was preparing the public for an inflation spike caused by the Iran oil crisis by comparing it with previous global events, Sir Keir said: “I am. And the reason is because we’ve got a war on two fronts.
“I think we obviously have to pull together countries to get the Strait of Hormuz open. And that’s what I’m doing in the coalition I’m leading with President Macron that we have been working very hard on in recent weeks and we need to get the Strait opened as quickly as possible.
“But even when that happens, I don’t want anybody to think that once the Strait of Hormuz is open, it all returns to normal. It won’t be like that.”
