OPINION

       There's only one way to make the Prime Minister see sense (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

       Very few of us expected the first 100 days of Keir Starmer’s premiership to be a resounding success. But neither did we expect things to get this bad, this quickly. It would be impossible to count this government’s failures on one hand. First, we had the freebie scandal, where cabinet ministers were happy to laud their working-class credentials while treating themselves to executive boxes, lavish gifts, and free gig tickets courtesy of generous donors. Then came the inheritance tax raid on already struggling farmers – a move that will likely bring in a pittance to the Treasury’s coffers, if farms don’t go bust first. Even Rachel Reeves’s disastrous Autumn Budget managed to kill off what little hope our faltering economy had of recovery.

       But it is David Lammy’s blunder over the Chagos Islands that takes the cake. It is simply astonishing. The history of the archipelago is a complex one. After splitting from Mauritius in 1965 (when the latter was still a British colony), Britain paid ￡3million to retain the islands – later leasing Diego Garcia to the US for a vital military base and removing the Chagossians in the process. In recent years, non-binding UN rulings have declared British control unlawful and backed Mauritius’ claim to the territory.

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Major blow for Starmer as Chagos Islands deal on brink with Mauritius 'asking more money'

       111 Comments

       Labour slammed for Chagos surrender as world's best marine environment threatened by China

       60 Comments

       Nigel Farage loses it over Chagos Islands 'surrender' as Donald Trump signs off deal

       1051 Comments

       Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves one simple misstep away from disaster

       19 Comments

       Keir Starmer throws Rachel Reeves under the bus with huge admission

       293 Comments

       Tony Blair launches intervention over Trump tariffs as he urges Starmer not to do 1 thing

       167 Comments

       David Lammy branded 'Remaniac' after refusing to admit key Brexit benefit

       327 Comments

       Keir Starmer breaks silence after Donald Trump hits UK with tariffs

       62 Comments

       David Lammy spent eye-watering amount of private jets in three months

       203 Comments

       POLL: Should the UK slap tariffs on the US to retaliate against Trump?

       88 Comments

       Keir Starmer warns Donald Trump UK could strike back over US tariffs

       47 Comments

       Rachel Reeves rejects calls for a 'Buy British' campaign in 'insult' to UK businesses

       23 Comments

       Donald Trump approves Keir Starmer's insane Chagos Islands deal

       124 Comments

       Donald Trump breaks silence on UK trade tariffs as he reveals how Keir Starmer felt

       137 Comments

       Keir Starmer warns Donald Trump's tariff chaos is a 'new era' and 'world has changed'

       21 Comments

       Keir Starmer admits UK to be hit by Donald Trump's tariffs in Rachel Reeves blow

       93 Comments

       Donald Trump casts a giant dollar-shaped shadow over PMQs

       23 Comments

       Donald Trump's 'outrageous act of aggression' is Falklands 'biggest threat' since invasion

       34 Comments

       POLL: Should Starmer retaliate with higher tariffs on US products?

       77 Comments

       Rachel Reeves ripped to shreds as BBC QT panellist fumes: ‘She chose to attack the poor!'

       194 Comments

       Major blow for Starmer as Chagos Islands deal on brink with Mauritius 'asking more money'

       111 Comments

       Labour slammed for Chagos surrender as world's best marine environment threatened by China

       60 Comments

       Nigel Farage loses it over Chagos Islands 'surrender' as Donald Trump signs off deal

       1051 Comments

       Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves one simple misstep away from disaster

       19 Comments

       Keir Starmer throws Rachel Reeves under the bus with huge admission

       293 Comments

       Tony Blair launches intervention over Trump tariffs as he urges Starmer not to do 1 thing

       167 Comments

       David Lammy branded 'Remaniac' after refusing to admit key Brexit benefit

       327 Comments

       Keir Starmer breaks silence after Donald Trump hits UK with tariffs

       62 Comments

       David Lammy spent eye-watering amount of private jets in three months

       203 Comments

       POLL: Should the UK slap tariffs on the US to retaliate against Trump?

       88 Comments

       Keir Starmer warns Donald Trump UK could strike back over US tariffs

       47 Comments

       Rachel Reeves rejects calls for a 'Buy British' campaign in 'insult' to UK businesses

       23 Comments

       Donald Trump approves Keir Starmer's insane Chagos Islands deal

       124 Comments

       Donald Trump breaks silence on UK trade tariffs as he reveals how Keir Starmer felt

       137 Comments

       Keir Starmer warns Donald Trump's tariff chaos is a 'new era' and 'world has changed'

       21 Comments

       Keir Starmer admits UK to be hit by Donald Trump's tariffs in Rachel Reeves blow

       93 Comments

       Donald Trump casts a giant dollar-shaped shadow over PMQs

       23 Comments

       Donald Trump's 'outrageous act of aggression' is Falklands 'biggest threat' since invasion

       34 Comments

       POLL: Should Starmer retaliate with higher tariffs on US products?

       77 Comments

       Rachel Reeves ripped to shreds as BBC QT panellist fumes: ‘She chose to attack the poor!'

       194 Comments

       Major blow for Starmer as Chagos Islands deal on brink with Mauritius 'asking more money'

       111 Comments

       Labour slammed for Chagos surrender as world's best marine environment threatened by China

       60 Comments

       Nigel Farage loses it over Chagos Islands 'surrender' as Donald Trump signs off deal

       1051 Comments

       Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves one simple misstep away from disaster

       19 Comments

       Keir Starmer throws Rachel Reeves under the bus with huge admission

       293 Comments

       Tony Blair launches intervention over Trump tariffs as he urges Starmer not to do 1 thing

       167 Comments

       David Lammy branded 'Remaniac' after refusing to admit key Brexit benefit

       327 Comments

       Keir Starmer breaks silence after Donald Trump hits UK with tariffs

       62 Comments

       David Lammy spent eye-watering amount of private jets in three months

       203 Comments

       POLL: Should the UK slap tariffs on the US to retaliate against Trump?

       88 Comments

       Keir Starmer warns Donald Trump UK could strike back over US tariffs

       47 Comments

       Rachel Reeves rejects calls for a 'Buy British' campaign in 'insult' to UK businesses

       23 Comments

       Donald Trump approves Keir Starmer's insane Chagos Islands deal

       124 Comments

       Donald Trump breaks silence on UK trade tariffs as he reveals how Keir Starmer felt

       137 Comments

       Keir Starmer warns Donald Trump's tariff chaos is a 'new era' and 'world has changed'

       21 Comments

       Keir Starmer admits UK to be hit by Donald Trump's tariffs in Rachel Reeves blow

       93 Comments

       Donald Trump casts a giant dollar-shaped shadow over PMQs

       23 Comments

       Donald Trump's 'outrageous act of aggression' is Falklands 'biggest threat' since invasion

       34 Comments

       POLL: Should Starmer retaliate with higher tariffs on US products?

       77 Comments

       Rachel Reeves ripped to shreds as BBC QT panellist fumes: ‘She chose to attack the poor!'

       194 Comments

       Don't miss...

       'Keir Starmer makes a fool of himself and completely misses the point yet again [LATEST]

       Furious MP explodes at Keir Starmer over Birmingham bin strikes at PMQs [LATEST]

       But rather than defend our sovereignty, Starmer’s government has rushed to finalise a deal handing the islands over – potentially at a cost of billions – without even consulting the very people displaced. This in itself is not surprising.

       We’ve seen our Prime Minister’s reluctance – or perhaps inability – to defend our national interests when they clash with the whims of international courts time and time again. It’s clear where his priorities lie. Last month, Reform leader Nigel Farage, channelling his cosy ties with the US president, claimed even Donald Trump was miffed at the deal, with his Secretary of State Marco Rubio apparently giving Lammy a stern talking-to over. But that didn’t seem to move the needle at all.

       The significance of the Diego Garcia military base cannot be overstated. It is our only strategic asset in the Indian Ocean. Yet, Downing Street has just announced it is nearing an agreement with Mauritius on the Chagos Islands' future, apparently with a begrudging nod from the US.

       Sponsored

       Health Wellness Journal| Sponsored Sponsored

       Watch More

       Eat 1 Teaspoon Every Night, See What Happens a Week Later

       Undo

       As this deal edges closer to reality, Starmer’s habit of placing the demands of other countries ahead of Britain’s interests risks damaging our ‘Special Relationship’ beyond repair. How can we now be seen as reliable allies?

       Is it not bad enough that in Lammy, we have a Foreign Secretary completely adrift from reality? Now we have a Prime Minister who is more interested in acting as a lawyer than a statesman – bending to a tight circle of human rights lawyers who couldn’t care less about the needs and desires of millions of British taxpayers.

       Trending

       From the Trump administration’s perspective, if Britain wants to haemorrhage billions to satisfy a non-binding legal opinion, well, that’s our problem. And honestly, who could blame them? After all, the Americans could very well take the base by force if they have to – especially if the geopolitical landscape continues to shift.

       Already this week, satellite imagery from Diego Garcia has revealed a serious ramp-up in military assets, including the deployment of six stealth B-2 bombers. These are strategic aircraft designed to slip past the most advanced air defences. Make no mistake, America under Trump will continue to prioritise its own national security interests, even if its allies like Britain are determined to shoot themselves in the foot.

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       David Lammy branded 'Remaniac' after refusing to admit key Brexit benefit

       327 Comments

       Keir Starmer breaks silence after Donald Trump hits UK with tariffs

       62 Comments

       David Lammy spent eye-watering amount of private jets in three months

       203 Comments

       POLL: Should the UK slap tariffs on the US to retaliate against Trump?

       88 Comments

       Keir Starmer warns Donald Trump UK could strike back over US tariffs

       47 Comments

       Rachel Reeves rejects calls for a 'Buy British' campaign in 'insult' to UK businesses

       23 Comments

       Donald Trump approves Keir Starmer's insane Chagos Islands deal

       124 Comments

       Donald Trump breaks silence on UK trade tariffs as he reveals how Keir Starmer felt

       137 Comments

       Keir Starmer warns Donald Trump's tariff chaos is a 'new era' and 'world has changed'

       21 Comments

       Keir Starmer admits UK to be hit by Donald Trump's tariffs in Rachel Reeves blow

       93 Comments

       Donald Trump casts a giant dollar-shaped shadow over PMQs

       23 Comments

       Donald Trump's 'outrageous act of aggression' is Falklands 'biggest threat' since invasion

       34 Comments

       POLL: Should Starmer retaliate with higher tariffs on US products?

       77 Comments

       Rachel Reeves ripped to shreds as BBC QT panellist fumes: ‘She chose to attack the poor!'

       194 Comments

       Dating for Senior SinglesWingtalks| Sponsored Sponsored

       Read More

       Undo

       Major blow for Starmer as Chagos Islands deal on brink with Mauritius 'asking more money'

       111 Comments

       Labour slammed for Chagos surrender as world's best marine environment threatened by China

       60 Comments

       Amazing Deals on TemuTEMU| Sponsored Sponsored

       Shop Now

       Undo

       Nigel Farage loses it over Chagos Islands 'surrender' as Donald Trump signs off deal

       1051 Comments

       Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves one simple misstep away from disaster

       19 Comments

       Keir Starmer throws Rachel Reeves under the bus with huge admission

       293 Comments

       Tony Blair launches intervention over Trump tariffs as he urges Starmer not to do 1 thing

       167 Comments

       David Lammy branded 'Remaniac' after refusing to admit key Brexit benefit

       327 Comments

       Keir Starmer breaks silence after Donald Trump hits UK with tariffs

       62 Comments

       David Lammy spent eye-watering amount of private jets in three months

       203 Comments

       POLL: Should the UK slap tariffs on the US to retaliate against Trump?

       88 Comments

       Keir Starmer warns Donald Trump UK could strike back over US tariffs

       47 Comments

       Rachel Reeves rejects calls for a 'Buy British' campaign in 'insult' to UK businesses

       23 Comments

       Donald Trump approves Keir Starmer's insane Chagos Islands deal

       124 Comments

       Donald Trump breaks silence on UK trade tariffs as he reveals how Keir Starmer felt

       137 Comments

       Keir Starmer warns Donald Trump's tariff chaos is a 'new era' and 'world has changed'

       21 Comments

       Keir Starmer admits UK to be hit by Donald Trump's tariffs in Rachel Reeves blow

       93 Comments

       Donald Trump casts a giant dollar-shaped shadow over PMQs

       23 Comments

       Donald Trump's 'outrageous act of aggression' is Falklands 'biggest threat' since invasion

       34 Comments

       POLL: Should Starmer retaliate with higher tariffs on US products?

       77 Comments

       Rachel Reeves ripped to shreds as BBC QT panellist fumes: ‘She chose to attack the poor!'

       194 Comments

       Major blow for Starmer as Chagos Islands deal on brink with Mauritius 'asking more money'

       111 Comments

       Labour slammed for Chagos surrender as world's best marine environment threatened by China

       60 Comments

       Nigel Farage loses it over Chagos Islands 'surrender' as Donald Trump signs off deal

       1051 Comments

       Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves one simple misstep away from disaster

       19 Comments

       Keir Starmer throws Rachel Reeves under the bus with huge admission

       293 Comments

       Tony Blair launches intervention over Trump tariffs as he urges Starmer not to do 1 thing

       167 Comments

       David Lammy branded 'Remaniac' after refusing to admit key Brexit benefit

       327 Comments

       Keir Starmer breaks silence after Donald Trump hits UK with tariffs

       62 Comments

       David Lammy spent eye-watering amount of private jets in three months

       203 Comments

       POLL: Should the UK slap tariffs on the US to retaliate against Trump?

       88 Comments

       Keir Starmer warns Donald Trump UK could strike back over US tariffs

       47 Comments

       Rachel Reeves rejects calls for a 'Buy British' campaign in 'insult' to UK businesses

       23 Comments

       Donald Trump approves Keir Starmer's insane Chagos Islands deal

       124 Comments

       This debacle lacks even a flimsy national security rationale. The Chagossians themselves haven’t been consulted, so there isn’t even the usual hand-wringing “do the right thing” excuse. A lawsuit by Chagossian Voices against the Foreign Secretary for failing to consult them has only added to the embarrassment – especially after Lammy claimed otherwise in Parliament last year. Even the idea that the joint UK-US base couldn’t continue to function under British sovereignty is nonsense.

       Don't miss...

       Keir Starmer fails to rule out more massive tax rises after awful April [LATEST]

       Keir Starmer torn apart by Kemi Badenoch over budget 'mess' in fiery PMQs clash [LATEST]

       SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

       We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

       The Prime Minister’s waffle about “the electromagnetic spectrum” needing a deal to keep our communications secure is little more than smoke and mirrors. Relying on Mauritius to uphold a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia for vital UK and US security interests is, frankly, wishful thinking. Once sovereignty is handed over, expect a flurry of problems: legal battles, Chinese pressure, meddling with our satellite and communications access, or attempts to undermine base operations entirely.

       Meanwhile, the only subject that seems to genuinely capture the Prime Minister’s attention is Netflix’s latest series. Perhaps if the streaming giant released a show on the Chagos fiasco – complete with a cast of bungling bureaucrats, a disappearing island chain, and a prime minister who thinks geopolitics is best left to lawyers – he might finally tune in.