"The memory of the Iraq war was referred to repeatedly across the chamber, including by the Prime Minister. A conflict that happened more than a decade before he became an MP and more than two decades before he arrived in Downing Street was key to the case he made for his outlook now."
"But the prime minister disagrees and his instinct on the importance of acting lawfully was made abundantly clear a position we shouldn't be surprised about given he is a former senior lawyer."
"An opinion poll by YouGov suggests far more people in Britain oppose the US's actions than support them and far more oppose the UK allowing the US to use British airbases than support that decision."
The UK government struggled to clearly articulate its position on US and Israel's attacks on Iran, with the defence and foreign secretaries unable to provide coherent public explanations for two days. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of acting lawfully, drawing parallels to the Iraq War and reflecting his background as a senior lawyer. His position generated criticism from both left and right: Conservatives and Reform UK wanted stronger support for US and Israel, while Liberal Democrats, Greens, and SNP expressed greater criticism of Trump. A YouGov poll showed British public opinion opposed US actions and UK use of airbases. Meanwhile, Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepared a low-key Spring Statement focused on economic stability, borrowing reduction, and growth without tax or spending changes.
#uk-foreign-policy #iran-conflict-response #government-accountability #public-opinion #economic-policy
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