In a blistering address at the Conservative Spring Conference in Harrogate, Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch launched a fresh assault on the Labour Party, accusing it of engaging in "student politics" while global powers rearm amidst the escalating Iran conflict. Badenoch asserted that Sir Keir Starmer is "sitting on the fence" and acting as a "political hostage" to left-wing MPs, undermining Britain's national interest.
Labour's Patriotism Questioned Amid Global Tensions
Badenoch declared that Labour is "nothing like the patriotic party of yesteryear," suggesting that Prime Minister Starmer is "too scared of upsetting certain sections of Labour's target voters" to take decisive action. She painted a picture of a dithering leader, held "at the behest of a load of half-rate left-wing MPs" who fail to grasp the seriousness of Britain's geopolitical position.
Military Readiness Under Scrutiny
The Conservative leader highlighted concerns over UK military preparedness, referencing the air defence destroyer HMS Dragon, which remains stuck in Portsmouth Harbour due to a union dispute instead of deploying to protect RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. This base was recently hit by an Iranian drone. Meanwhile, aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales is being readied for potential Middle East deployment.
Badenoch emphasised, "I never thought I would see the day when Britain's allies felt that they could not rely on us." She cited criticism from the US, Greece, and France, who have reportedly described Britain as "weak" and accused it of "deserting them" and "going missing in action."
Call for Offensive Strikes
Reiterating her previous calls, Badenoch urged the government to authorise RAF offensive strikes on Iran's missile launch sites. She argued that merely shooting down missiles is insufficient, stating, "You need to go to the source... Sometimes you have to make sure that you get there first to stop their ability to hurt your citizens."
This stance aligns with Foreign Secretary David Lammy's recent assertion that there is a legal basis for such strikes. Supersonic B1 Lancer bombers have arrived at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, poised for potential "defensive" raids on Iranian ballistic missile storage sites.
Starmer's Delayed Response Criticised
Badenoch contrasted Starmer's hesitation with the "moral clarity" of allies, noting that he "spent days consulting lawyers and plucking up the courage to say whose side he was on." She insisted, "We are in this war whether Keir Starmer likes it or not. It's time to act."
Starmer has defended his cautious approach, calling for a "viable, thought-through plan" and initially suggesting that immediate support for US strikes would be unlawful. He has since granted permission for limited US operations from UK bases.
Domestic Political Jabs
Beyond foreign policy, Badenoch taunted Labour over its domestic performance, referencing the party's safe seat loss to the Greens in Gorton and Denton. She claimed this had "spooked" Labour, as Greens employed "sectarian voting lines"—a tactic once used by Labour itself.
The speech underscores deepening political divisions as Britain navigates a complex international crisis, with Badenoch positioning the Conservatives as the party of decisive action and national security.
