Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, has found herself at the centre of controversy over her position on US-Israeli strikes against Iran, with critics accusing her of a U-turn. Initially, Badenoch backed the strikes and criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer for not allowing the US to use UK airbases. However, ten days later, she denied wanting UK involvement, stating she only supported the actions without joining them. Her spokesperson later added confusingly: 'We are at war. The difference is, we’re not joining the war. We’re in the war.'
Badenoch's allies insist her position has evolved rather than reversed, arguing she never wanted direct UK participation. They claim her only difference with Starmer was a call for UK forces to target missile sites in the Middle East rather than just intercepting missiles. 'That’s not a U-turn, that’s policy evolving as the conflict evolves,' one ally said.
The shift comes as polls show steady opposition among the British public to the US campaign, which lacks a clear goal or endpoint. Badenoch has also distanced herself from US President Donald Trump, calling his repeated personal attacks on Starmer 'childish'. A Tory insider said she decided the insults were 'unseemly' and 'getting ridiculous'.
Trump remains deeply unpopular in the UK, with only 13% of Britons expressing support. His capriciousness has made it easier for UK politicians to be blunt. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden described the presidency as 'very transactional', a view shared by many allies weary of Trump's behaviour.
