Keir Starmer criticized JD Vance for belittling British troops’ sacrifices during PMQs. He commemorated British soldiers’ deaths in Afghanistan and highlighted the disrespect shown by Vance’s comments regarding troop contributions. The backlash included statements from veterans and calls for the UK government to remind the US of Britain’s military contributions since 9/11.
Keir Starmer criticized JD Vance during Prime Minister’s Questions, referencing the sacrifices of British troops after Vance’s remarks belittling their efforts. Starmer highlighted two important anniversaries this week, marking the deaths of UK soldiers in Afghanistan, specifically a 2012 bombing that killed six soldiers and a 2003 incident involving a Royal Marine.
Starmer emphasized, “These men fought and died for their country, our country… 642 individuals died fighting for Britain alongside our allies”. These comments come in response to Vance’s remarks on the adequacy of a minerals deal over troop contributions to Ukraine. Vance implied that a security guarantee from the UK or France was not valid due to their lack of recent military engagement, which many viewed as disrespectful.
Following backlash, Vance attempted to clarify his comments but did not name specific nations, leaving critics unsatisfied. The anger from veterans included comments from Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge, who deemed the remarks “deeply disrespectful”.
Liberal Democrat MP Richard Foord urged the Prime Minister to remind the US Government of the UK’s contributions in post-9/11 conflicts, specifically referencing British soldier Daniel Coffey, who lost his life in Iraq. This led to further comments from Sir Keir Starmer, asserting the importance of honoring past sacrifices by the UK and its allies, especially in discussions about security.
In conclusion, Keir Starmer’s response to JD Vance’s remarks brought attention to the sacrifices made by British troops in recent conflicts. The backlash from veterans and political figures highlights the significance of acknowledging historical military contributions. Furthermore, the discussion reinforces the need for respectful international dialogue regarding military alliances and historical sacrifices made by allied forces.
Original Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
