One thing Keir Starmer really believes in: Giving up British territory
If there is one mission which Sir Keir Starmer pursues with Churchillian resolve, it is the sacred quest to relinquish British territory in the Indian Ocean. No consideration of strategy or ethics – let alone poor bedraggled national interest – will be allowed to stand in the way.
Britain will sacrifice the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and pay an annual £90 million for the privilege. We will run all the risks of transferring sovereignty over the Anglo-American base on the largest island, Diego Garcia. And we will wrong the Chagos Islanders yet again.
Now that Donald Trump has approved the agreement – doubtless because America is determined to carry on operating the base regardless – this farcical diplomacy may be unstoppable. The real significance of this episode is what it discloses about the mentality of our rulers.
Remember that Lord Hermer, the Attorney General, said last year that Britain must not just obey international law but 'go further than simply meeting our obligations'. No court has ever ruled that Britain should relinquish the Chagos Islands; there is only a non-binding advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice to that effect.
Our Government is choosing to treat this as if it were binding. The consequence of Hermer-ism is that Britain will be the first country ever to sacrifice sovereign territory due to an advisory ICJ opinion.
Lord Hermer, filled with the absurd narcissism of post-colonial guilt, thinks the rest of the world will be suitably impressed. In fact, Britain will become a soft target for any former colony with a contrived grievance. Now all they need is a non-binding advisory opinion whereupon Lord Hermer will solemnly advise that we should give way.
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