Starmer suffers from a mix of simple naivety and a lack of strategic incompetence <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
When the Prime Minister stood at his lectern outside UK Permanent Joint Headquarters at Northwood to announce his mind-boggling Chagos giveaway last week, he adduced one point into his argument with even more studied earnestness than usual.<\/p>\n
In an increasingly dangerous world, Starmer claimed, \u2018Russia, China, Iran\u2019 opposed the agreement \u2013 and therefore his deal to surrender sovereignty over Chagos must be on the right side in international affairs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nIt is worth reminding ourselves who is in favour of this treaty, this deal, and who\u2019s against it. In favour are all of our allies: the US, Nato, Five Eyes, India. Against it: Russia, China, Iran and, surprisingly, the leader of the opposition and Nigel Farage are in that column alongside Russia, China and Iran, rather than the column that has the UK and its allies in it.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
In doing so, Starmer sought to silence his critics, attempting to paint the Conservatives and Reform as somehow supportive of the intentions of hostile states.<\/p>\n
It took less than a week for this nonsense to be blown out of the water. With all the power of a missile fired from one of the gunboats the UK parks in the perfect harbour at Diego Garcia, the Prime Minister\u2019s claim has been humiliatingly and very publicly demolished.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Over the past few days, prominent Mauritian newspaper Le Mauricien reported Chinese diplomats making a visit to Port Louis in order to welcome Starmer\u2019s deal \u2013 which they described as an \u2018historical achievement\u2019 and offered their \u2018massive congratulations\u2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The report claimed that the Chinese Ambassador supported Mauritius \u2018protecting its territorial integrity\u2019. The delegation apparently \u2018assured\u2019 Mauritius that China is \u2018always a trustworthy friend\u2019 to them and confirmed they would be joining China\u2019s Belt and Road initiative.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If this came as a genuine surprise to Starmer, then he is a fool without even the most basic knowledge and instincts for high stakes diplomacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If he already knew this was a likely outcome \u2013 as his officials would no doubt have ensured he did \u2013 then his speech cannot be seen as anything other than deeply dishonest.<\/p>\n
The confirmation of Beijing\u2019s support for the deal came after the Russian government agreed to build on a \u2018longstanding partnership\u2019 and deepen collaboration on \u2018marine research\u2019 and fisheries with Mauritius earlier this month. This was well known before Starmer signed the paperwork.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Moscow has long been involved with training Mauritius in these techniques. Perhaps unsurprisingly, \u2018marine research\u2019 is a euphemism \u2013 it entails ostensibly scientific activities that are in fact the perfect cover for undersea espionage.<\/p>\n
To complete this unholy trinity, Iran and Mauritius also signed an agreement this year for greater research collaboration. Again, this was all clear in the public domain.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In other words, the central claim Starmer made in defence of his deal \u2013 while standing outside the UK\u2019s national defence nerve centre \u2013 was patently and obviously false.<\/p>\n
The Chagos Islands are a key strategic location in the Indian Ocean \u2013 one of the most contested naval theatres on earth \u2013 and by way of his deal, Starmer has now opened the door to Russian and other vessels operating in the waters around Chagos.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The deal materially reduces the exclusion zone around the archipelago and also transfers responsibility for marine policing and fishing controls to Mauritius.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At a time when allies are beefing up their defences, this Labour Government is letting the most hostile states on earth walk all over us \u2013 and forcing the taxpayer to cough up for the privilege.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Starmer suffers from a mix of simple naivety and strategic or diplomatic incompetence \u2013 not unexpected from a politician whose background is more rooted in the domestic arena.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But he also believes Britain must endlessly atone for the genuine wrongs of the past \u2013 but in so doing, executes policy that makes no strategic sense today.<\/p>\n
It is still not completely clear exactly which departmental budget will fund this deal \u2013 and ministers are desperately trying to conceal the true cost with Treasury technicalities about accounting for \u2018long-term projects\u2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The truth is it is probably going to be largely funded through the defence budget \u2013 a prospect which the Secretary of State for Defence has not denied.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The annual average cost will be around \u00a3100 million. That is enough to hire over 3,800 new soldiers into the British Army each year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Or this money would be better used to upgrade the shoddy service accommodation our service men and women have been putting up with for too long.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With the total net cost of \u00a330.3 billion, we could invest in six more aircraft carriers. With that, the UK could afford to keep one in the Indian Ocean, within range of the South China Sea, on a constant basis \u2013 something almost unthinkable in the current funding settlement.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately for Starmer, his disastrous mishandling of this negotiation will send dangerous signals to hostile actors.<\/p>\n
I have nothing against the people of countries such as China, Russia and Iran \u2013 but their governments are engaged in a long term campaign to oppose and attack UK interests.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They often seek to manipulate well-meaning politicians in weaker countries such as Mauritius, saddled by debt and in want of investment.<\/p>\n
Starmer\u2019s willingness to follow through with this disastrous deal is doing that job for them.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u2013 the best pieces from CapX and across the web.<\/p>\n
CapX depends on the generosity of its readers. If you value what we do, please consider making a donation.<\/p>\n
Lord Kempsell is a Conservative member of the House of Lords.<\/p>\n
Columns are the author’s own opinion and do not necessarily reflect the views of CapX.<\/p>\n
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