James Rix
163 posts
We have suffered our worst national humiliation since the Suez debacle, if not the fall of Singapore. This time, though, we lack the excuse of having been pressured by allies or attacked by foes. The decision to cower and plead neutrality even as Iranian proxies were lobbing ordnance at us was entirely our own. Sir Keir Starmer’s pusillanimity has left us looking weak, needy and duplicitous. And all for what? Anxiety about anti-Israel voters in constituencies like Gorton and Denton? Fear of crossing our human-rights obsessed Attorney General, Lord Hermer? Paywall down. telegraph.co.uk/gift/7fbd43143…
People may welcome Starmer's attempts to distance ourselves from what they perceive to be an illegal war with ill-defined objectives. But there's no point ignoring that Britain is fast developing a reputation as bad-faith actor. And that will have consequences moving forward.
This would be a morally bankrupt position at the best of times. But the British government is simultaneously asking US and Israeli servicemen and women to risk their own lives to protect us.
Can someone, anyone, explain what the British government’s position is tonight. If it’s finally recognised the need for offensive action to neutralise the threat to UK interests why aren’t UK forces being deployed directly. What is the rationale for hiding behind the US.
just a reminder, our good buddies the British refused to allow the US military to operate out of any of their bases
Summing up the British approach to Iran here: 1) US asks to use British bases, we say no. 2) Tell everyone we weren't involved and hope they leave us alone. 3) oh dear, they didn't leave us alone. They're shooting missiles at us. 4) claim that the only way to stop this and protect British citizens is to destroy the missiles at source. 5) allow the Americans to use our bases to destroy the missiles at source. 6) refuse to help destroy the missiles at source, even though we just said destroying them at source is the only way to end the threat to British citizens. 7) tell everyone we're not involved and hope they'll leave us alone.
