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The Herald Scotland
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
What is Labour doing? Have we reached peak insanity?
Then there's immigration. Record inflows strain an already-overstretched NHS, housing, and public services. Illegal migrants reportedly cost £50,000 each per year for four-star hotels (rather than tents in France) and free services – while Labour wonders why 'smashing the gangs' isn't working. Adding insult to injury, we sprint toward net zero with billions in subsidies for an unreliable grid, despite our emissions being a global rounding error. The state even dictates which type of car to buy, how and where we drive, wielding taxation as a blunt control mechanism. Worse still, we borrow billions for foreign and so-called climate aid while our debt exceeds 100% of GDP. Defence spending is inadequate as Russia prepares for war, yet Keir Starmer postures as a superpower. And then there's the Chagos Islands: we gave away sovereign British territory only to pay to lease it back. Labour's 'fixing the foundations' slogan is a cruel gaslight as taxes and regulations suffocate growth. So, again: have we reached peak insanity, or is there worse to come? Ian Lakin, Aberdeen. A triumph we can ill afford Another success trumpeted by Keir Starmer after his victories over Trump and Modi's tariffs and the Europeans' restrictions on trade access has been the decolonisation of the Chagos Islands by persuading Mauritius to take them on but lease back the base on Diego Garcia. This has been achieved at a cost, estimated by the Government at £3.4 billion over the 99 years of the initial lease but estimated as something more like £30bn by the Opposition. The Chagos Islanders, forcibly evacuated from their palm-fringed beaches and settled in Crawley, stay there despite their desire to return, but are being bought off with a £40 million trust fund. The main user of the base is the United States, though it would (I suppose) be available to us if we wanted to fight a war with a neighbouring state bordering on or in the Indian Ocean, such as the Maldives, or to fly warplanes in support of the US in the Persian Gulf or over Gaza. Nevertheless, there has been no mention of the USA contributing to the cost of this trend-setting exercise in decolonisation. Forget the ferries and ask how many more such triumphs can we afford. James Scott, Edinburgh. Read more letters Harsh lessons for the Government There are four groups this rookie Labour Government has learned that it is political dynamite to tangle with because faces can be put to them and shown evocatively on screen, people for whom the general public harbours much sympathy. One of those four is on the verge of finding that measures imposed on it are about to be mitigated, namely, the reduction of the winter fuel allowance will be recalibrated on the grounds that our economic circumstances are improving. Welcome as this will be, will the memory of its insensitive introduction still rankle amongst those who had to endure the reduction over our recent winter? Two more groups are likely to face an upturn with the improving economic climate when the two-child benefit cap is also softened with a means-tested approach while the introduction of inheritance tax upon farms with a particular property value will be revisited. Only the fishermen's plight will be left to be addressed on the grounds that the 12-year agreement on fishing rights is overlong. It has been a harsh and salutary lesson for this rather gauche government to see its popularity ratings plummet as a result of its failure to be aware of the knock-on effects of placing burdens on vulnerable groups. If the Government fails to come to terms with such sensitive issues, then it will have doomed itself to adverse publicity of such a nature that it will be catapulted from power at the next General Election, unless it can transform the economy by then to the extent that the whole body politic experiences the benefits. Denis Bruce, Bishopbriggs. Why we need independence Clearly after nearly a year in office Labour's betrayal is obvious, as like the Tories, the poor and vulnerable are again targeted. From the winter heating debacle and failure to protect the Grangemouth refinery, to the plight of the Waspi women and the war on claimants along with the fishing industry, this UK Labour government is faltering. Surely any Labour government should be targeting the billions lost, each year, in corporate tax avoidance and fraud. Indeed instead of stealth taxes, a penny rise in income tax would bring in billions for the NHS, rail and roads; along with abandoning Trident, Britain's broken-down American-owned so-called independent nuclear deterrent. Furthermore it's actively rumoured that the UK fleet of Vanguard submarines, which carry the outdated Trident nuclear missile system only 20 minutes from Glasgow, is falling apart. These weapons of mass destruction, at huge expense, do not protect us but actually make us a target. In truth, only a richly-endowed independent Scotland (in line with happy and prosperous Nordic countries) in full control of all its assets, can progress towards a fairer, greener and prosperous nation; working with the other nations of the British Isles, Europe and the world. Grant Frazer, Newtonmore. Plight of care staff is shameful There is an old saying, "the love, care and attention we give to the elderly is a measure of our humanity". What does it say of our humanity when we read reports that hundreds of care workers feel forced to go on strike ("Hundreds of care staff to strike over £38m U-turn", The Herald, May 24)? Carers have found it necessary, it is reported, to withdraw their labour because of the Government U-turn on £38 million of extra funding being made available. Within the last few years their pay has deteriorated and the service is currently in crisis. This is the Government, then led by Nicola Sturgeon, which announced in 2021 the plan to establish a National Care Service at the time described as the most ambitious reform of the devolution era. This scheme was to end what was described as the "postcode lottery" of social care. However, the SNP Government eventually abandoned its plans when they lost the support from various groups, the participation of which was essential in order to make the scheme work. We should be ashamed of ourselves that those caring for our elderly have been driven to the last resort of withdrawal of their labour. Our elderly, who have done so much for us during their lifetimes, deserve better. Ian W Thomson, Lenzie. A Vanguard-class submarine (Image: PA) Sex workers are not all victims Here we go again. A new law is proposed in Scotland banning men from buying sex. The hyperbole of the headline on Marissa MacWhirter's article ('Ash Regan's bill to outlaw men who buy sex simply pushes women into the shadows – and grave danger', The Herald, May 23) makes me wonder why society continues to regard women who make money from prostitution as "victims". Yes, I know drug addiction is given as the justification for the dangerous lifestyle choice some women make, but they are not all helpless and addicted. Many just like the money. Glasgow City Council's Routes out of Prostitution has existed for years and helped several women to live safer lives. Can we just have a more balanced view please of the word "victim" in relation to this issue? Elizabeth Mueller, Glasgow. Netanyahu is storing up trouble Has there ever been any country, other than Gaza, which has had a terrorist hiding in every single house and tent and a terrorist command and control centre in every hospital and school? Even if Benjamin Netanyahu does not achieve his stated aim of taking and holding all of Gaza, and the West Bank, he is ensuring that he has created many times more implacable enemies on all of Israel's borders, which could at some future point see that country suffer the fate he plans for Gaza. He is also making it almost certain that the remaining hostages are all returned in body bags. L McGregor, Falkirk.
Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
UK court blocks signing of Chagos Islands deal at last minute
UK-based Chagos Islanders protest over the planned ceding of sovereignty of the islands by Britain to Mauritius, outside of the Houses of Parliament, in London, Britain, October 7, 2024. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo An undated file photo shows Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos archipelago, in the middle of the Indian Ocean. REUTERS/HO/U.S. Navy LONDON - Britain was temporarily blocked from concluding a deal on the Chagos Islands with Mauritius on Thursday after an eleventh-hour injunction by a London High Court judge, postponing an agreement aimed at securing the future of the U.S.-UK Diego Garcia air base. Britain had been set to sign the multi-billion dollar deal to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius on Thursday, but in the early hours of the morning an injunction was granted by the High Court, forcing the government to abandon the announcement. The deal, the details of which were first announced in October, would allow Britain to retain control of the strategically important base on Diego Garcia, the largest island of the archipelago in the Indian Ocean, under a 99-year lease. The last-minute injunction was granted following action by Bernadette Dugasse and Bertrice Pompe, both British nationals who were born in Diego Garcia. They have criticised the deal for excluding Chagossians in any communication. The case is due to be considered at 1030 local time, according to the court order. The wider Chagossian diaspora, many of whom ended up living in Britain after being forcibly removed from the Indian Ocean archipelago more than 50 years ago, have said they cannot endorse an agreement they were not consulted on. Critics have also said the deal is a capitulation that plays into the hands of China, which has close trade ties with Mauritius. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was due to join a virtual signing ceremony with representatives from the Mauritian government, the Telegraph newspaper reported earlier. The British government said it would not comment on ongoing legal cases, but said the deal was the right thing to protect the British people and the country's national security. In 1965 Britain detached the Chagos Islands from Mauritius - a former colony that became independent three years later - to create the British Indian Ocean Territory. Under the planned 99-year agreement, Britain will pay Mauritius 3 billion pounds ($4 billion) to secure the future of Diego Garcia, U.S. State Department officials said before the injunction was granted. The financial component includes 3 billion pounds to be paid by Britain to Mauritius over the 99-year term of the agreement, with an option for a 50-year extension and Britain maintaining the right of first refusal thereafter. The base's capabilities are extensive and strategically crucial. Recent operations launched from Diego Garcia include bombing strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen (2024-2025), humanitarian aid deployments to Gaza, and further back, attacks against Taliban and al-Qaeda targets in Afghanistan in 2001. U.S. President Donald Trump, who took office in November, indicated his backing for the deal in February after meeting Starmer in Washington, following some uncertainty over his administration's support. Trump's predecessor Joe Biden had backed the agreement. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Associated Press
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
UK court puts last-minute block on a deal to hand Chagos islands to Mauritius
LONDON (AP) — A British court blocked the U.K. from transferring sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, to Mauritius, hours before the agreement was due to be signed on Thursday. The U.K. has agreed to hand sovereignty to Mauritius of the Indian Ocean archipelago, which is home to a strategically important naval and bomber base on the largest of the islands, Diego Garcia. The U.K. would then lease back the base for at least 99 years. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, which was consulted on the deal, gave its approval, but finalizing the agreement was delayed by last-minute negotiations over costs. The agreement was due to be signed Thursday morning at a virtual ceremony. But a High Court judge granted an injunction in the early hours of Thursday putting a hold on the agreement. It came in response to a claim by two of the original residents of the islands. The Chagos islanders, many of whom relocated to Britain in the 1960s and 70s to make way for the Diego Garcia base, say they were not consulted over the agreement
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Britain is about to wrong the Chagos Islanders yet again
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. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
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.
