Parliamentary veto “essential” before any UK military action in Middle East - Plaid Cymru
Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS and Westminster Leader Liz Saville Roberts MP have today warned the UK Government against being dragged into a “potentially catastrophic” conflict in the Middle East, and that the UK Parliament must have a say on any proposals for military action.
Rhun ap Iorwerth MS and Liz Saville Roberts MP welcomed Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s calls for diplomacy and de-escalation, but voiced concerns that he had fallen short of roundly condemning President Trump’s authorisation of US strikes against Iran overnight.
The Plaid Cymru politicians added that the pursuit of peace should take priority over any UK loyalty to the US and warned against repeating history where the UK entered a regional conflict in the Middle East as “America’s puppet.”
In a joint statement, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS and Liz Saville Roberts MP said:
“President Trump’s decision to launch US strikes against Iran is potentially catastrophic for an already destabilised region.
“Whilst Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s calls for diplomacy and de-escalation are to be welcomed, it is concerning that he has fallen short of roundly condemning President Trump’s actions.
“The pursuit of peace should take priority over any UK loyalty to the US. We all remember the disastrous consequences of being dragged into a regional conflict in the Middle East as America’s puppet.
“It is essential therefore that Parliament has the opportunity to veto any UK military involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict should Keir Starmer yield to any pressure from President Trump and propose some form of intervention.
“In the same way the US Democrats are divided on the issue, Keir Starmer may well face pressure from Labour hawks to follow President Trump’s lead.
“Air strikes were launched against Syria in 2018 without granting Parliament an opportunity to vote on military action. At the time Plaid Cymru accused then-Prime Minister Theresa May of showing complete disregard towards democracy.
“We stand firmly by that view and reiterate our calls for restraint before more innocent civilian lives are lost.”