Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has dismissed criticism from former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who claimed that Labour would have handled the Afghan evacuation no differently than the Conservative government. Wallace accused Starmer of hypocrisy, arguing that Labour had not proposed alternative strategies during the crisis.
In a sharp rebuttal, Starmer insisted that his party had consistently called for better planning and support for those left behind. "The government's failure to act swiftly cost lives," he said. "We raised these concerns at the time, and they were ignored."
Wallace's Controversial Remarks
Wallace, who served as Defence Secretary during the 2021 evacuation, claimed in a recent interview that Starmer was "playing politics" with the issue. He argued that the chaotic withdrawal was a result of the US-led timeline, not UK government decisions.
However, veterans' minister Johnny Mercer countered Wallace's claims, stating that the UK could have done more to assist Afghan allies. "We let down many who risked their lives for us," Mercer admitted.
Political Fallout
The exchange has reignited debate over the UK's handling of the evacuation, with opposition MPs demanding an official inquiry. Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey accused the government of "shifting blame" instead of taking responsibility.
Meanwhile, Conservative MPs have rallied behind Wallace, with some suggesting his comments were aimed at shoring up support among backbenchers. The row comes as both parties prepare for a potential general election campaign.
