In any multi-racial democracy, foreign disputes can quickly become domestic political problems. Sir Keir Starmer, like Rishi Sunak, has been firm on his support for Israel and its right to defend itself following Hamas’s terrorist attack which left 1,400 people dead and saw more than 200 taken hostage. But as Israel’s military operation goes on, the Labour leader is facing increasing opposition from within his own party.
The demand for an immediate ceasefire is superficially understandable, but mistaken. Acknowledging Israel’s right to self-defence counts for little if you then demand it stops pursuing its legitimate objectives, which are to destroy or degrade Hamas’s military capabilities.
Britain remains a serious player in the diplomatic arena, not least as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Our voice matters. If Sir Keir wants to demonstrate he is ready to be prime minister and a world leader, he must act like it. That means not bowing to pressure from backbenchers and instead sticking to what he thinks is right, even if it makes him unpopular or costs him a few seats at a general election.
We can’t rely on US
After weeks of political infighting and procedural chaos, the US House of Representatives finally has a new Speaker, Mike Johnson. The Louisiana congressman is a close ally of Donald Trump and played an enthusiastic role in the former president’s attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Johnson’s elevation has invariably led to questions over whether he would use his position to try to prevent a presidential candidate other than Trump from being certified the winner in 2024.
If the vote for Speaker was difficult, governing will be even harder. Johnson now leads a split party that represents one half of a deeply divided country, and must soon pass a deal to fund the US government or risk a shutdown.
His elevation also matters to Britain — and indeed Europe — because it threatens US support for Ukraine, with the new Speaker having both criticised and voted against recent bills to provide funding and arms to the country. Europe must now step up. The years of our continent relying on a superpower across the ocean to guarantee our security are over.
Crisis affects us all
Palestinian flags being flown on lampposts, posters of Israeli hostages being torn off walls, neighbours and acquaintances at loggerheads — conflict in the Middle East raises feelings like little else. It is getting personal, and it is permeating all parts of the city. London certainly feels quite different from how it did barely three weeks ago.
