Labour Leader Starmer denies changing position on military action vote

Martin Woolridge 10 months ago 2 min read

Title: Keir Starmer Denies Changing Stance on Parliamentary Vote for UK Military Action

In a recent development, Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, has faced questions regarding his position on whether Members of Parliament (MPs) should have a vote on UK military action. Starmer has vehemently denied any change in his stance on the matter.

Contrary to some claims, Starmer clarified that he supported US-UK air strikes in Yemen, even though they were launched without a parliamentary vote. His argument is that a vote should only be required when deploying troops, rather than for air strikes.

During his leadership campaign, Starmer made a commitment to create a law mandating parliamentary consent for military actions. As such, he believes that his position on the recent Yemen air strikes aligns with his previous commitment.

Starmer emphasized that the air strikes were necessary to target Houthi militants in Yemen, with the aim of preventing further attacks. These militants, backed by Iran, have targeted ships traveling to or owned by Israel. Their attacks have led major shipping companies to divert vessels away from the Red Sea, causing disruptions in global trade.

The Labour leader has called for ministers to provide a comprehensive statement in the House of Commons, shedding light on the details of the air strikes. Additionally, Starmer has urged the government to keep him informed if any further attacks are planned in Yemen.

In line with his focus on foreign policy, Starmer has expressed support for reviewing the UK’s arms sales, particularly its position on selling weapons to Saudi Arabia. He believes that his party has undergone changes since he ran for its leadership in 2020.

Addressing a separate issue, Starmer expressed condolences for the five individuals who tragically lost their lives while attempting to cross the English Channel. He called for an end to such dangerous crossings and rejected the proposed Rwanda scheme as a mere “gimmick.” Instead, Starmer emphasized the need to prosecute criminal gangs involved in facilitating illegal crossings.

Continuing his commitment to environmental concerns, Starmer reaffirmed Labour’s dedication to investing £28 billion in green projects. The party aims to achieve 100% clean power by 2030. However, Starmer acknowledged that the extent of this investment depends on reducing government debt and utilizing existing green prosperity funding.

With his clarifications, Keir Starmer aims to dispel any assumptions of inconsistency between his support for air strikes in Yemen and his previous commitment to parliamentary consent for military action. As the leader of the Labour Party, he continues to navigate various policy areas, outlining his vision for a safer and greener future for the United Kingdom.