In a powerful and exclusive intervention, the UK's Veterans' Minister has launched a scathing critique of Nigel Farage's foreign policy stance, branding his refusal to support sending British troops to Ukraine as a profound failure of leadership.
A Soldier's Perspective on Political Duty
Al Carns, a former Royal Marine awarded the Military Cross in 2011, drew on his own frontline experience to frame the gravity of the decision. He stated that having worn the nation's uniform, he understands intimately what it means to trust political leaders with your life. Carns argued that Farage's immediate declaration that he would vote against deploying British soldiers as part of a potential peace settlement is not principled caution.
"It is an abdication of responsibility," Carns asserted. "It is walking away when leadership is required." He emphasised that evading the moral duty to help secure a just peace is not patriotism, but "politics without courage."
The Cost of Inaction and the Kremlin Echo
Carns stressed that those who have served never take troop deployments lightly, as they live with the long-term consequences. However, he warned that understanding the cost of action must also mean comprehending the potentially greater cost of inaction. He invoked the historical lesson that if Vladimir Putin defeats Ukraine without consequence, he will not stop there.
The Minister connected Farage's comments to a broader, troubling pattern within Reform UK. He pointed to the recent conviction of the party's former leader in Wales, Nathan Gill, who was sentenced to over ten years in prison for taking bribes to promote pro-Russian propaganda in the European Parliament.
"This case cannot be dismissed lightly, and neither should Farage’s words," Carns stated, reminding the public of Farage's past admiration for Putin. He accused Reform UK of failing to confront the Russian threat, a complacency that risks further emboldening the Kremlin.
True Patriotism Means Standing Up to Bullies
While acknowledging that many of Farage's supporters are driven by a genuine desire to put Britain first, Carns contested the definition of that phrase. "Putting Britain first means standing up to bullies, not echoing them," he declared. He argued that national security rests on strong alliances, credible deterrence, and the willingness to defend democratic values beyond UK borders.
Carns concluded that this is a serious moment demanding true leadership. When democracy is under attack, he said, choosing to look the other way is not neutrality—it is a conscious choice. "And it is a choice our adversaries are all too eager to exploit," he warned, framing the debate as one with direct implications for the safety and principles of the United Kingdom.
