Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced intense criticism after failing to attend a significant House of Commons debate on the escalating crisis in Venezuela. His absence was noted by a full chamber, where MPs from across the political spectrum gathered to discuss the UK's response.
A Conspicuous Absence at a Critical Time
The debate saw prominent figures in attendance, including Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey. From the Labour benches, both former leader Jeremy Corbyn and MP Zarah Sultana were present. However, the Prime Minister was notably missing, having reportedly spent part of the day with 'influencers'.
This decision was widely perceived as a significant misjudgement. With left-wing voices expressing grave concerns about 'the international order', Starmer, a former Director of Public Prosecutions with a background in international law, was absent. His whereabouts became a subject of speculation and ridicule among MPs.
Cross-Party Condemnation and a Weak Defence
Criticism was swift and bipartisan. Kemi Badenoch stated the country 'wanted to know how the Prime Minister was going to respond' to the Venezuela situation. SNP MP Pete Wishart delivered a scathing assessment, claiming a British Prime Minister had never looked 'so irrelevant and spineless'.
From within Starmer's own party, Labour MP Richard Burgon said the Prime Minister's decision not to come to Parliament 'spoke volumes' and betrayed a 'cowardly, craven approach'. While Burgon's own foreign policy views were noted, his attack did not cause visible discomfort among Labour loyalists, though no backbenchers publicly defended Starmer against the 'cowardly' label.
Cooper's Unconvincing Performance at the Dispatch Box
The government's statement was delivered by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. After a brief tribute to victims of the Crans-Montana fire, she adopted a breezy tone, announcing 'Madam deputy Speaker, we turn to Venezuela' as if it were a minor issue.
Her statement described Venezuela as 'a hub for dangerous, organised gangs' and emphasised a need for a 'progressive but realistic' approach. She revealed she had spoken to Venezuela's opposition leader, promising to 'keep in touch'.
Kemi Badenoch, in response, lowered her voice and urged the Prime Minister to 'work with' the US and 'not snipe from the sidelines', questioning why the UK was not being consulted by the White House. Cooper attempted to patronise Badenoch but was seen as 'squeaking' and, when challenged by Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat, resorted to giggling.
Observers noted Cooper's unusual, corkscrew stance at the despatch box, with crossed ankles, which failed to project authority. Veteran Conservative Sir John Whittingdale later complained he could not discern if the government was for or against the American position, to which Cooper merely sighed.
A Leadership Crisis Exposed
The Venezuela debate has starkly highlighted perceived weaknesses in Sir Keir Starmer's leadership. For a leader who frequently uses the phrase 'let me be clear', his absence and the government's ambiguous stance revealed a troubling allergy to decisiveness. The episode left him looking isolated from his own parliamentary party and uncertain on the world stage, a damaging position for any Prime Minister during an international crisis.
