Starmer accuses Farage and Badenoch of wanting to ‘jump into Iran war with both feet’ in local elections pitch
Sir Keir Starmer has warned that Britain would “go into an unplanned war” if Nigel Farage or Kemi Badenoch are in power as he battles for votes ahead of crucial local elections.
The Prime Minister will further emphasize his own approach to the outbreak of war in the Middle East in his speech to voters ahead of the devastating election results in May.
The Prime Minister has repeatedly said he will not be “dragged” into US military action against Iran, but will tell voters that both the Reform UK and Conservative leaders will “jump into this fight with both feet”.
Appearing in Labour’s first Party TV broadcast ahead of May’s local elections, he will accuse his critics of “offering anger or easy answers”, while promising to deliver on key issues such as easing the cost of living crisis.
“Such decisions have no second chances. They will have huge consequences both at home and abroad, and of course for our brave Armed Forces,” he will say.
“Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch would jump into this fight with both feet without thinking about the consequences.
“It might not be a big deal to be in opposition right now. But if they were in government, we would be in an unplanned war.”
Although Sir Keir’s approach to the start of the war is popular with voters, Labor is expected to face a crushing defeat at the election in May.
Pollsters have warned the party faces a “very significant threat” as it continues to lose voters to both the Reform on the right and the Greens on the left in a coup that could spell the end of Sir Keir’s leadership.
After accusing his opposition of making a U-turn on its stance on Britain’s involvement in the war, Sir Keir will say: “I will not be pressured to change my view.”
Ms Badenoch had previously accused Sir Keir of being “too afraid to intervene externally for fear of offending a small section of the electorate” and said he had spent time “consulting lawyers, plucking up the courage to say whose side he was on”.
Asked later to clarify his position, the Conservative leader told the BBC his party supported the actions of the US and Israel, but added: “I never said we should participate.”
Sir Keir later accused Ms Badenoch of making “the mother of all spins” on the issue, which she described as the most important decision a prime minister should make.
Meanwhile, Reformation England’s attitude towards the war led to confusion.
Mr Farage told a press conference in March that “the gloves should be off” after RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was hit by a drone. He said: “We need to acknowledge that we are part of this with the Americans and the Israelis.”
Later that month, Mr Farage said: “Let’s not get ourselves involved in another foreign war if we can’t even defend Cyprus.”
Sir Keir will add to the TV broadcast: “In these uncertain times there are many people who are angry or offering easy answers.
“I will not be pressured to change my view. I am the British prime minister and every decision I make is driven by Britain’s national interest, protecting you and your family.
“No matter what others say, no matter the criticism, this is my focus.”
Sir Keir refused to bow to US pressure over his stance on the outbreak of war with Iran; this stance proved to increase his popularity among voters.
According to a recent JL Partners study Independent, When voters were reminded of his disagreement with Donald Trump, his rating increased by 26 points.
The United Kingdom has allowed the United States to use British military bases to conduct limited defensive operations, targeting only missile sites and facilities used to target ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital Iranian oil and gas route.
On Tuesday, Downing Street again said Britain’s focus was on “de-escalation” and a “negotiated solution” for the region after Mr Trump stepped up his rhetoric and the US-Israeli bombing campaign continued.
The US president gave Tehran until 1am on Wednesday for the UK to end its blockade of the strait or face destruction, writing on Truth Social: “An entire civilization will die tonight and never be brought back.”
