Tory Peers Launch Major Offensive to Derail Chagos Sovereignty Transfer
Conservative members of the House of Lords are preparing for a fierce legislative battle to kill off Prime Minister Keir Starmer's controversial bill regarding the Chagos Islands. They aim to force a significant government rethink by exploiting growing geopolitical tensions and procedural delays within Parliament.
Parliamentary Manoeuvres and the Race Against Time
Peers believe they possess sufficient numbers to effectively bog down the legislation, formally known as the Chagos Bill, which would pass administrative control of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) to Mauritius. Their primary objective is to ensure the bill does not pass before the current parliamentary session concludes in May. This strategy follows the Government's decision to postpone a scheduled debate in the Lords on Monday, a move triggered after Conservatives tabled an amendment calling for a pause 'in the light of the changing geopolitical circumstances'.
US Opposition and the Trump Factor
The push to halt the legislation gained momentum after former US President Donald Trump publicly branded the deal an 'act of great stupidity', marking a stark reversal from previous White House support. However, a senior minister has suggested the Government remains hopeful that President Trump, whose critics have coined the acronym Taco (Trump Always Chickens Out) due to his frequent policy shifts, will ultimately change his position.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed told Times Radio that Trump's opposition was likely linked to a separate diplomatic row with NATO allies concerning Greenland, a dispute from which he has since backed down. 'Donald Trump was saying things a week ago because he was trying to pressure some of his allies to change their position on Greenland sovereignty,' Reed stated. 'We made it clear we're not going to do that. And now I suspect Donald Trump won't pursue that (Chagos) point.'
Security Concerns and Think Tank Warnings
Simultaneously, a prominent think tank has urged ministers to abandon the yet-to-be-ratified deal, issuing a stark warning that it would 'badly prejudice US-UK defence interests'. Critics highlight Mauritius's increasingly warm relationship with China, arguing the agreement could leave the strategically vital allied air base on Diego Garcia vulnerable. The UK and US are set to lease back the base under the proposed terms.
A new report by the Policy Exchange think tank cautions that the treaty could enable the island nation, located 1,300 miles from the Chagos archipelago, to 'accept payments from our adversaries and ... authorise them to enter the archipelago, occupy the outer islands and otherwise act in ways that would seriously prejudice the security of Diego Garcia.'
Professor Richard Ekins, head of Policy Exchange's Judicial Power Project, elaborated: 'The UK Government should recognise that US-UK defence interests would be much more secure if the UK retained sovereignty and that for many other reasons – financial prudence, fairness to the Chagossians, environmental protection – handing over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius would be a decision to regret.'
The Legislative 'Ping Pong' and Treaty Obligations
The Chagos Bill is currently in the later stages of parliamentary scrutiny, a process colloquially known as 'ping pong', where legislation is batted back and forth between the Commons and the Lords until a consensus is reached. A key Conservative amendment demands the Government verify that the agreement does not breach a 1966 treaty signed with the United States, which explicitly confirms UK sovereignty over the islands.
Government Response and Diplomatic Assurances
Number 10 has accused peers of 'irresponsible' and 'reckless' behaviour and stated that the timing for a rescheduled Lords debate would be set out 'in the usual way'. The Prime Minister's official spokesperson refused to comment on whether the Chagos agreement was discussed during Sir Keir's recent call with President Trump.
An official emphasised ongoing cooperation: 'UK and US officials are continuing to work together to ensure that the necessary arrangements are in place for the future operation of the base, as they have been for many months, and we will continue that work.' The stage is now set for a high-stakes constitutional and diplomatic clash in the weeks ahead.
