The Prime Minister’s legalistic Chagossian mistakes

Starmer’s obsession with international law has reduced Britain’s utility as an ally Daily Telegraph 19/02/26 Starmer is now in a real bind over the Chagos Islands Credit: Reuters

In blocking US forces from using RAF airbases to bomb Iran, Sir Keir Starmer has surpassed himself. The Government is reportedly concerned that facilitating strikes could be a breach of international law. As a result, it has diminished the ability of the United States to conduct combat operations, reduced Britain’s utility as an ally and demolished Sir Keir’s flagship Chagos policy. It is an outstanding illustration of the legalistic, process-driven approach of the Prime Minister. One of the earliest actions in office of Sir Keir, and his Attorney General Richard Hermer, was the revision of Britain’s attitude to international law. The result has been paralysis, with the state effectively unable to act within the constraints it has imposed upon itself. From Sir Keir’s decision on the use of RAF bases, it appears likely that he considers that even last year’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities might not have been legal. Britain will accordingly now refrain from assisting any intervention to alleviate the suffering of the Iranian people. When the United States is already concerned about the reliability of its European allies, this is an act of immense folly. The immediate consequence appears to have been the unravelling of Sir Keir’s prized Chagos surrender – a policy his friend Philippe Sands made millions advocating. Mr Trump is now apparently determined to decline support for the transfer of the islands to Mauritius, arguing that the transfer would reduce the utility of the Diego Garcia airbase. It is hard to disagree with his assessment. The result is that Sir Keir is in a bind of his own making. “International law” compels the Prime Minister to seek Mr Trump’s approval to surrender the islands; “international law” compels him to surrender the islands; “international law” compels him to block the use of the British bases, enraging the White House in the process. This is government as farce. It is hard to escape the notion that in Sir Keir’s ideal world, the job of Prime Minister would be purely ceremonial. There would be little room for individual judgment or decision making. All acts of government would emerge fully formed from the duties and obligations of the legal system. As much as it may disappoint him, that is not the world we live in. It is high time Sir Keir realised as much.