Many people will be worried about the growing conflict in Iran and across the Middle East, and Britain’s role in it. Wars are easier to start than to end, and that’s why we need our government to be calm, measured, and sure of their response. The decision by the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, not to join the US-Israeli bombing campaign against Iran was the right one and appears to be supported by the majority of the public.
Whilst the United States are our most important ally, that does not mean we should unquestioningly follow them into military action, particularly when the objectives are unclear and the legal basis questionable.
Whilst I absolutely share the widespread international condemnation of the Iranian regime which brutalises and murders its own people, oppresses women, kills gays and destabilises the whole region, the stated aim of the US/ Israeli action is regime change, which is not a legal basis for war.
The Labour Government has made the responsible decision to stand in defence of our allies while refusing to be pulled into an escalation.
The attack on a British base in Cyprus, which was close to causing devastation, compels us to respond and British pilots have already taken direct action to protect lives. An RAF F-35 recently destroyed an uncrewed aerial system over Jordan — the first time an RAF F-35 has eliminated a target on operations. UK counter-drone teams have also neutralised aerial threats heading towards coalition forces in Iraqi airspace.
The Government has drawn an important line between defensive action and joining a wider bombing campaign against Iran itself.
Rushing into an offensive campaign without that clarity would not just be reckless, it would risk undermining the rules-based international order that Britain rightly champions and which the like of Putin and other dictators want to undermine. The rules-based order protects us and unites the vast majority of the international community, it is not something to be tossed aside when it is inconvenient.
For that reason, I disagree with local and national Reform and Conservative politicians who argue that our place is by America’s side regardless of the circumstances.
During the Vietnam War, notwithstanding the strength of our alliance with the USA, successive British governments stuck by their own judgement and refused to send combat troops. As 58,000 American troops lost their lives in Vietnam, Britain maintained its close friendship with the US whilst maintaining a position that this was not a war we would enter. The US took the same position when British troops fought to regain control of the Falklands following Argentina’s invasion. Our relationship will survive this, but they are not our only international alliance.
It is a time to unite in support of our country’s position, and it is disappointing to see local Reform Councillors echoing Nigel Farage’s position of backing President Trump against their own country.
The world is at its most unstable and fractious state in a long time, with the ongoing war in Ukraine, war in the Middle East, and an increase division and hostility between nations. The consequences of this war will affect us whether we are combatants or not, but whilst we will take a financial hit, our minds must also be on all those people whose lives are at risk.
This Labour government have committed to the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, with a commitment to reach 2.5% of GDP by April 2027 and a long-term goal of 3.5% of GDP by 2035. The Government are ensuring that we are always able to defend ourselves and our allies. And at this moment of immense international tension, Britain is showing strength without recklessness.
