Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is confronting a significant internal revolt from within his own Labour Party over his continued refusal to publicly condemn former US President Donald Trump's military strikes on Venezuela and the capture of its leader, Nicolas Maduro.
Senior Labour Figures Break Ranks
The pressure on Sir Keir intensified dramatically when Dame Emily Thornberry, the chair of the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee and a former shadow attorney general, became the most senior Labour figure to denounce the American actions. Writing in the Daily Mirror, she issued a stark warning against the doctrine of "might is right".
"You can’t walk into a smaller country and take its resources, tell its leadership what to do or throw the leaders in jail," Dame Emily stated. She emphasised that the rules established after the Second World War must be upheld, arguing that Trump's claim of Venezuela being in America's "sphere of influence" sets a dangerous precedent that could be echoed by China regarding Taiwan or Russia concerning Ukraine.
A chorus of condemnation from the left
Dame Emily's criticism was swiftly echoed by other Labour MPs, particularly from the party's left wing. Clive Lewis, the MP for Norwich, labelled the US attack a "clear breach of the Nuremberg principles – which the UK helped write," accusing the government's silence of being "the moral equivalent of a white flag."
Richard Burgon MP demanded the Prime Minister take a stand, stating, "Either Keir Starmer believes in international law – or he doesn't. You can't pick and choose." He characterised Trump's actions as "gangster politics" aimed at stealing Venezuelan oil and recolonising Latin America.
Further criticism came from Kim Johnson (Liverpool Riverside), who questioned the UK's commitment to sovereignty, and Apsana Begum (Poplar and Limehouse), who said the PM's stance would "forever haunt his legacy." Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and independent MP Diane Abbott also condemned the raid as illegal and unprovoked.
Starmer's cautious diplomatic stance
Despite the mounting pressure, Sir Keir, a former human rights lawyer, has so far declined to criticise the American operation. Anxious to preserve diplomatic relations with the UK's most powerful ally, his initial response was to say he wanted to "establish the facts, and take it from there," while reminding others he was a "lifelong advocate of international law."
However, he later appeared to tacitly endorse the action, stating he would "shed no tears" over the end of the Maduro regime. This positioning has created a clear rift between the Prime Minister's office and a substantial segment of his parliamentary party.
The political dilemma for Starmer may soon intensify. With Trump reportedly threatening further action against Greenland and Colombia, calls for the UK government to clarify its position are growing. When questioned, Home Office minister Mike Tapp refused to be drawn on hypotheticals, telling Sky News the government would not give a "running commentary" and was engaged in "careful diplomatic conversations behind the scenes."
The rebellion highlights the difficult balancing act facing the Prime Minister as he seeks to maintain a crucial international alliance while adhering to the principles of international law championed by many in his party.
