Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been compelled to withdraw legislation that would have transferred sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, following a withdrawal of support from former US President Donald Trump. The proposed deal, which aimed to hand over the Indian Ocean archipelago while retaining control of the crucial Diego Garcia military base under a 99-year lease agreement valued at $47 billion (approximately £35 billion), has now been shelved from the upcoming King's Speech.
Trump's Volatile Stance on the Deal
The agreement initially received backing from Trump, but his position shifted dramatically in January when he denounced the transfer as an 'act of great stupidity'. The former president argued that relinquishing the islands amounted to a surrender of British territory and expressed concerns that the Chagos could potentially fall under Chinese influence, given Mauritius's diplomatic ties with China.
A Brief Reversal and Final Withdrawal
Less than a month later, Trump appeared to reverse course once more, stating that Starmer's deal was 'the best he could make' and suggesting that the US could 'militarily secure' the base if the lease agreement ever collapsed. However, this fleeting support has now been fully retracted, leaving the legislation without the essential American endorsement required for its progression.
Government's Position and Political Reactions
While the government maintains that the agreement represents the 'best way to protect the long-term future of the base', it has acknowledged that proceeding without Trump's backing is impossible. A government spokesperson emphasised, 'Diego Garcia is a key strategic military asset for both the UK and the US. Ensuring its long-term operational security is and will continue to be our priority – it is the entire reason for the deal.'
The spokesperson added, 'We continue to believe the agreement is the best way to protect the long-term future of the base, but we have always said we would only proceed with the deal if it has US support. We are continuing to engage with the US and Mauritius.'
Conservative and Reform Party Responses
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch welcomed the government's decision to withdraw the legislation. In a social media post, she declared, 'If Keir Starmer’s Chagos surrender now finds its rightful place - on the ash heap of history - it will be because Conservatives led the fight against it from day one.'
Badenoch further criticised, 'That it took so long is another damning indictment of a prime minister, who fought to hand over British sovereign territory and pay £35 billion to use a crucial military base which was already ours. Unlike Labour, we will always put our country first. We are the only party who can be trusted to stand up for Britain’s interests abroad.'
Reform's Robert Jenrick also commented, stating, 'If the Chagos surrender is dead, this is a great victory.'
Implications for UK Foreign Policy
The collapse of this deal underscores the significant influence of US support on British foreign policy decisions, particularly regarding strategic military assets. The Chagos Islands, home to the Diego Garcia base, have long been a point of contention, with Mauritius asserting historical claims to sovereignty. The proposed lease agreement was intended to resolve these disputes while securing continued military operations, but Trump's withdrawal has left the future of the base and bilateral relations in a state of uncertainty.
As engagements with the US and Mauritius continue, the government faces mounting pressure to reassess its approach to safeguarding British interests in the region, balancing diplomatic relations with national security imperatives.
