Dame Priti Patel has warned that Labour has failed to defend Britain against the threat from Iran and will soon be led by a prime minister with “no experience of foreign affairs”. The Shadow Foreign Secretary expressed alarm over reports that outgoing Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham – on the verge of moving into Downing Street – is considering appointing David Miliband as his Foreign Secretary. David Miliband was beaten by his brother, Ed, in the 2010 Labour leadership race. Dame Priti warned this would unleash “psychodrama” at the heart of Government.
Ceasefire Violation and US Strikes
There are fears of renewed conflict following an attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, which triggered US strikes on Iranian targets. Dame Priti said the attack was a clear violation of the ceasefire and blasted the Labour Government for not doing more to tackle the threat from Iran. She stated: “Our brave security services have been busy busting potentially lethal Iranian plots on British soil, but our Government has not acted to ensure our long-term safety. They have failed to take the necessary action to track down Iranian funding sloshing around in the UK which is used to undermine our security and funds the Iranian regime’s malevolent activity on UK soil.”
Potential Appointment of David Miliband
Dame Priti described the potential appointment of David Miliband as Foreign Secretary as “concerning”, saying this could revive the “Miliband brothers’ psychodrama”. Mr Burnham is understood to be considering appointing Ed Miliband as his Chancellor. She said: “Whether it’s Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham or whoever else takes over the Labour leadership, nothing will change as their selfish and ideological ministers are simply incapable of putting our national interest first. As Shadow Foreign Secretary, I meet with representatives of our allies from across the world. And the hard truth is that because of this Government, we are no longer respected or trusted in the way we once were.”
Labour's Record Under Fire
Dame Priti argued that Labour’s failure to fund defence has alarmed allies, the Mandelson-Epstein scandal has undermined global reputation, and the abortive Chagos Surrender has made Britain a laughing stock. She said: “Starmer’s resignation is unlikely to herald a change of course. Andy Burnham has no experience of foreign affairs.” Turning her guns on Labour, she added: “These self-serving, reckless Labour ministers are spending all their time jostling for jobs in anticipation of the socialist coronation of Andy Burnham, instead of serving the interests of Britain and supporting our allies in the region. The British interest has been left on the sideline. This pathetic Labour Government failed every step of the way to assist our friends, offer any real solutions to the conflict or be part of the negotiations.”
US-Iran Negotiations
The United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding on June 17, giving them a 60-day period for negotiations on the future of Tehran’s nuclear programme and a permanent end to the conflict. UK-US relations were damaged when Britain refused to join initial strikes on Iran, prompting President Trump to claim Sir Keir Starmer is “no Winston Churchill”. Dame Priti said: “We cannot allow the Iranian regime to present peace as any kind of victory for them, nor a reward for suffocating the global economy through the Strait of Hormuz.” The Foreign Office and Mr Burnham's team have been invited to comment.
