Baroness Warsi Voices Support for Starmer from Qatar Warzone Amid Middle East Strikes
As former Conservative minister Baroness Sayeeda Warsi hunkers down with her family in Qatar, she has expressed strong approval for Prime Minister Keir Starmer's firm stance against the United States and Israel's recent military actions in the Middle East. In a surreal and unnerving experience, Warsi described life in a warzone, where missile interceptions light up the skies over Doha, forcing her family to stay indoors with curtains drawn for protection.
Life Under Fire in Qatar
Warsi recounted how her grandchildren, residing in Qatar, have adapted to the chaos by treating the explosions as mere "bad weather" and enjoying unexpected school holidays. The family follows emergency alerts from Qatari authorities, staying updated via online Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office consular notifications while playing board games as their house shakes from incoming fire. She expressed gratitude for the defensive support from the Royal Air Force and Qatari air force but emphasised the need to prevent mission creep in a conflict she deems illegal under international law.
Critique of US-Israel Actions and Nuclear Deal Breakdown
The baroness argued that the strikes by Israel and the US on Iran were not justified as preemptive self-defence, citing the United Nations charter's prohibition against using force against a state's territorial integrity. She highlighted that these attacks occurred just as a nuclear agreement was nearing completion, facilitated by Omani foreign minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi. This deal would have seen Iran zero its stockpiles of enriched uranium under full International Atomic Energy Agency supervision, with implementation planned within 90 days.
Warsi suggested that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in tandem with former US President Donald Trump, initiated the war not due to a breakdown in negotiations but because of a breakthrough that threatened their geopolitical interests. She echoed US Congresswoman Sara Jacobs's criticism, noting Netanyahu's long-standing desire to strike Iran and Trump's willingness to comply.
Concerns Over UK Base Usage and Starmer's Leadership
Expressing deep concern, Warsi warned about the potential misuse of UK bases like Diego Garcia by the US, despite Starmer's assurances of limited, targeted actions to destroy Iran's missile capabilities. She questioned the reliability of the US administration under Trump, describing it as lacking shared values and ethics, which could lead to escalated involvement beyond agreed terms.
As someone with a family tradition in the British armed forces, Warsi stressed that UK troops should not be pawns in Israel's political pursuits or sacrificed in foreign wars that compromise national safety and economic stability. She praised Starmer for forcefully opposing illegal wars in Parliament, urging MPs to reconsider the national interest rather than supporting conflicts with no clear strategic objectives.
Call for Measured Leadership Amid Crises
In these turbulent times, Warsi called for a steady, sensible, and informed prime minister who prioritises UK interests, brings sanity to international leadership, and addresses domestic challenges like the cost of living crisis and migration issues, both exacerbated by the war. She expressed hope that Keir Starmer can rise to this challenge, highlighting his role as a former foreign office minister between 2012 and 2014.
The situation underscores the delicate balance between allied support and independent foreign policy, with Warsi's firsthand account from Qatar serving as a poignant reminder of the human cost of geopolitical conflicts.
