Kier Starmer has told the nation that the U.K. “will not be drawn into the wider war”
In a press conference in Downing Street this morning the Prime Minister said he wants an end to the war in Iran
“The longer it goes on, the more dangerous it is the the bigger the impact on the cost of living”
He says he knows people are really worried and recalls what it was like growing up in the 1970s and remembers the knot in his stomach every time bills came through the door
He said that he is working with partners – particularly Europeans – to come up with a viable collective plan to open up the Straits of Hormuz adding that it is vital we continue to focus on supporting Ukraine.
“We cannot allow the war in the Gulf to turn into a windfall for Putin”
Closer to home he announced that there will be a £350m subsidy for those “most exposed” to heating oil price rises, £53m will go to poorest households using heating oil for help with bills, and legal action against those suppliers engaged in what he described as price gouging
He defended his decision to proceed cautiously on Donald Trump’s requests for military support – despite criticism from some political opponents.
“I have been attacked by some for my decision not to join the offensive against Iran, but at every stage, I have stood by my principles.
“Principles which I held just as strongly when it came to debate about the Iraq war in 2003, principles which I believe are shared by the British people, that our decision should be based on a calm, level headed assessment of the British national interest.
“And that if we are to send our service men and women into harm’s way, the very least they deserve is to know that they do so on a legal basis and with a proper thought through plan.”
