Sir Keir Starmer has sought to leverage Britain’s refusal to join America’s Middle East military operations as an election selling point, declaring the US-Iran conflict “not our war” as Labour braces for significant losses at May’s local elections.
The Prime Minister launched his party’s campaign in Wolverhampton on Sunday with his most pointed criticism yet of the United Kingdom’s traditional closest ally, attempting to transform tensions with President Donald Trump into political capital ahead of polling day on 7 May.
“This is not our war and we are not going to be dragged into it,” Sir Keir told supporters, reiterating his decision to provide only defensive assistance to American operations despite Mr Trump’s personal criticism of British leadership and dismissive remarks about UK military capabilities.
Labour confronts what experts characterise as a potential electoral “bloodbath,” with projections suggesting the party could surrender hundreds of English council seats and lose control of the Welsh Senedd for the first time in its history.
Pollster Lord Robert Hayward warned in March the party faces “very substantial” threats following a series of “absolutely horrendous” council by-election results, with pressure mounting from Reform UK on the right and a resurgent Green Party on the left.
The Prime Minister’s stance has deepened the freeze in the so-called special relationship, with Mr Trump seeking international support to reopen the Strait of Hormuz whilst Britain maintains its limited role. The conflict has triggered global energy price surges that are hammering UK household budgets.
Deputy leader Lucy Powell, elected last year after criticising Sir Keir’s leadership, praised his “good judgement” for refusing to “follow blindly” calls to join the war, suggesting the stance could prove electorally advantageous.
Sir Keir framed the decision within broader security concerns facing voters. “The backdrop to these elections is uncertain. We’re facing a war on two fronts,” he stated, referencing both the ongoing Ukraine conflict and the Iran crisis.
“People look at their screens and they’re worried when they see explosions, infrastructure blown up, the rhetoric that goes with it, worried about whether this is going to escalate even further,” he added, whilst pledging to “defend British lives and British interests in the region” and “stand by our allies in the Gulf.”
The campaign launch drew virtually the entire Cabinet, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson among those occupying front-row seats.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and numerous other senior ministers filled subsequent rows at the Wolverhampton event, alongside West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker and Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig.
