Starmer’s already-paused Chagos deal looks in mortal danger this morning due to developments in the war on Iran. What a shame…
Guido understands on Saturday morning the US government made a specific request to Starmer that Diego Garcia be made available for use for long-range bombing missions over Iran. The joint US-UK base is often used by the US Air Force and is de facto a majority US facility – but by convention the US informs the UK of its intentions. Under any other Prime Minister this would be a joint US-UK operation, but Starmer and Hermer have limited UK involvement to ‘defensive only’…
This further complicates the Chagos sellout – US sources say they will not tolerate any discussion of the future of the archipelago while there is a live war with Iran. The government’s Diego Garcia Bill, which is the legislation to enact the deal, has not yet returned to Parliament. Starmer now has a matter of weeks left to do this given he wants to end the legislative session in May or June, but beforehand must attempt to get President Trump back on side. In a global geopolitical crisis it’s looking increasingly unlikely…
Starmer said to Robert Peston this afternoon:
“I’m fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy businesses bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world.”