Political tensions are bubbling over in Westminster as Sir Keir Starmer finds himself under mounting pressure from within his own party over plans to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
What began as a controversial foreign policy move is now shaping up to be a full-blown internal rebellion, with Labour MPs increasingly questioning whether the plan should be scrapped altogether.
Calls to Drop the Deal, Not Just Delay It
While the Prime Minister recently hit pause on the next stage of legislation needed to ratify the agreement, critics say that isn’t enough.
Several MPs argue the government should abandon the plan entirely, warning that national security and sovereignty are being put at risk.
The issue gained fresh urgency after US President Donald Trump publicly condemned the handover, prompting Labour figures to urge Sir Keir to listen—not out of loyalty to Trump, but out of what they call “basic common sense.”
Labour Backbenchers Break Ranks
Senior Labour MP Dan Carden has now openly turned against the proposal, despite previously abstaining on the issue.
He made it clear that, in his view, the government should walk away from the agreement completely.
For Carden, the stakes are high: protecting British territory, safeguarding national security, and standing up for the rights of the Chagossian people.
He warned that the world looks very different now compared to October 2024, when the deal was first agreed, arguing this is no moment for risky decisions that could weaken the UK’s strategic position.
Legislation Pulled as Questions Mount
The controversy intensified on Friday when the government unexpectedly withdrew draft legislation that had been due for discussion in the House of Lords.
The Bill would have paved the way for transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands—home to a major joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia—to Mauritius.
The move came just days after Trump fiercely criticised the plan and as Conservative peers raised concerns that the deal could breach a 1966 UN treaty between the UK and the US, which states that the territory should remain under British sovereignty.
Government Stands Firm Despite Criticism
Despite the backlash, ministers insist the deal is still alive.
A government spokesperson reaffirmed Labour’s commitment to securing the future of the Diego Garcia base, describing it as essential to national security.
The spokesperson also accused peers of acting irresponsibly, arguing their role is to scrutinise legislation—not interfere with defence priorities.
Still, critics remain unconvinced, especially as estimates suggest the deal could cost the UK up to £35 billion over time—far more than official government projections.
Former Ministers Add to the Pressure
Adding fuel to the fire, former Labour minister Graham Stringer has renewed his criticism of the handover, branding it a “terrible” idea.
He suggested that Trump’s renewed opposition would embolden more Labour MPs to speak out and questioned how the party could justify such spending while public services and the armed forces remain under strain.
Stringer urged Sir Keir to turn the current legislative pause into a permanent halt, warning that the issue could become a political liability in future elections.
Trump, Greenland, and a Geopolitical Backdrop
To complicate matters further, Sir Keir has hinted that Trump’s sudden hostility toward the Chagos deal may be tied to broader geopolitical tensions.
In the Commons, the Prime Minister suggested the criticism could be linked to Britain’s opposition to Trump’s ambitions over Greenland, adding another layer of diplomacy—and drama—to the saga.
What Happens Next?
With Labour MPs growing more vocal, legal concerns unresolved, and international allies divided, the future of the Chagos Islands deal remains uncertain.
The question now facing Sir Keir Starmer is whether this pause will become a full stop—or whether he’ll push ahead despite the mounting resistance at home and abroad.
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