The Huffington Post
Nick Thomas-Symonds gave an exclusive interview to HuffPost UK from Brussels Nick Thomas-Symonds has claimed Nigel Farage “cannot be trusted” on the world stage. The paymaster general and minister for EU relations slammed the Reform UK leader for U-turning over the UK’s participation in the Iran war. He also hit out at Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Green Party boss Zack Polanski in an exclusive interview with HuffPost UK while on a visit to Brussels. Farage said at the beginning of March that the UK “should do all we can” to support the US and Israeli bombing of Iran. He soon changed his mind as energy prices started to climb due to Iran’s blockade of the the major oil shipping lane, the Strait of Hormuz. Farage ended up claiming the UK does not “have a Navy” and “cannot get involved directly in another foreign war”. Thomas-Symonds told HuffPost UK: ”[Voters] can see the impact that international events has had in recent weeks on costs at the pump. “And the person that you would want to send in negotiating rooms with world leaders is definitely Keir Starmer. “You certainly can’t trust Kemi Badenoch, Nigel Farage or Zack Polanski to do that.” Starmer has pushed for a lasting deal to keep the Strait of Hormuz open amid ongoing friction between Iran and the US. Thomas-Symonds added: “These are not serious candidates to be prime minister of our country. “These are not people that can be trusted to stand up for Britain on the world stage. “Only this government and only Labour can be trusted with international relations. “If you had any doubt about that, just look at recent weeks. “Kemi Badenoch, Nigel Farage – straight away wanted to run in to join the offensive war in Iran. “They changed their minds within a week or two – on decisions of that gravity, if you’re prime minister, you don’t get to change your mind.” Conservative leader Badenoch has been criticised for claiming Starmer should have launched offensive strikes on Iran. She previously claimed: “Why is he asking our allies to do what we should be doing ourselves?” A Conservative spokesperson said the row over how Peter Mandelson was appointed the UK ambassador to Washington showed Labour cannot be trusted with national security. He said: “Keir Starmer was told that Peter Mandelson was the director of a Russian defence company, reportedly with direct links to the Kremlin, when Russia first invaded Ukraine. “He ignored that evidence and appointed him as our ambassador, with access to highly classified documents. He put our entire national security at risk to get his man to Washington. Keir Starmer cannot be trusted without national security and he should resign.” Green leader Polanski has previously advocated for leaving Nato and wean itself off a reliance on the United States, though he has made it clear that is not the party’s official policy. A party spokesperson hit back at Thomas-Symonds’ remarks, saying: “Instead of constant smears in place of any positive vision for our country, Labour ministers need to wake up and smell the coffee, our European allies are openly saying new security partnerships need to be developed and the Americans are no longer a reliable ally. “Labour needs to engage in this reality and think ahead and to put our country first.” A Green insider added: “Astonishing that a Labour minister can lecture anyone on national security, when its been revealed they don’t give a fig about vetting for the most sensitive positions.” Reform UK have been contacted for comment. Subscribe to Commons People , the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster. Related... Nigel Farage Slammed Over Reform UK's 'Cruel' Plan For Mass Deportations Exclusive: Farage Urged To Sack Reform Candidate Who Called Zelenskyy 'A Nazi' Exclusive: Nigel Farage Urged To Sack Reform Candidate Who Said 'Islam Is A Cancer'
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