24-05-2025
The absurd claim that Britain's Chagos giveaway bolsters national security
SIR – Sir Keir Starmer's ludicrous decision to pay a total of £30 billion to give the Chagos Islands to Mauritius (report, May 23) is anything but 'absolutely vital for our defence and intelligence', as he claims.
The sheer obliviousness on the part of the Prime Minister and his Cabinet with respect to the consequences of the deal truly epitomises the chaos within the current Government. Simply put, it is surrendering what is not only British territory, but also a vital strategic asset.
Those who claim that Britain should pay vast sums of money to give away this archipelago in the name of 'decolonisation' are blind to the disastrous ramifications that will ensue, at a time when China's geopolitical and economic aggression will only worsen. Perhaps Paul Bérenger, the deputy prime minister of Mauritius, is correct. We are indeed 'living in a historic moment' – namely, one which will leave a permanent stain on Britain's foreign policy for decades to come. We should not be surprised if May 22 2025 goes down in history as the day on which Britain's status changed from a global power to a rapidly declining one.
Dr Edward Howell
Oxford
SIR – The Chagossian people don't want to be ruled by Mauritius. They have said so over and over again, but they have been ignored. Using the specious excuse of anti-colonialism, this Labour Government is paying a country with no valid territorial claim to colonise their homeland.
Eddie Lewisohn
London N6
SIR – I am in my late 80s, so the future isn't going to affect me too much, but I do have concerns for my children and grandchildren.
In this week alone, a flotilla of little ships crossing the Channel to commemorate the Dunkirk evacuation was diverted, so that the Border Force could escort a migrant boat to our shores (report, May 22). What are we doing escorting a boat bringing illegal immigrants to this country?
Then Sir Keir Starmer signed away the Chagos Islands, at a possible cost to the taxpayer of £30 billion. Why are we giving up British sovereignty of these islands, let alone paying such a huge amount to do so?
A paedophile avoided deportation under the European Convention on Human Rights (report, May 22), after claiming that it would blight his future. When are we going to recognise that those who commit a crime against society automatically lose their human rights?
The Prime Minister also gave European Union agencies permission to conduct random inspections at British farms and food production sites, to ensure that they are compliant with the bloc's rules (report, May 22); this in addition to selling out our fishing industry by allowing the EU a further 12 years' access to British waters. Is this what Brexiteers voted for?
These are just four examples of 'broken Britain'.
Guy Williams
Nailsworth, Gloucestershire
SIR – Sir Keir Starmer was clear – the winter fuel payment was completely unaffordable and had to be withdrawn, despite the harm it would do to the elderly. Suddenly, however, it can be brought back (report, May 22), not because pensioners' or the country's situation has changed, but in an attempt to reverse the Prime Minister's plummeting fortunes and threatened splits in his party.
Jonathan Mann
Gunnislake, Cornwall
