Starmer snaps back at Tory MP who accuses PM of ‘lacking war-fighting mentality’

WorldPolitics
24 Mar 2026 • 5:16 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • Sir Keir Starmer became visibly angry during a Liaison Committee meeting on Monday, 23 March.
  • The confrontation occurred after Conservative MP Bernard Jenkin criticised the Prime Minister's approach to the UK's involvement in the Iran conflict.
  • Mr Jenkin accused the Prime Minister of 'lacking a war-fighting mentality' and urged the government to prepare the country for war.
  • When Sir Keir mentioned finalising an investment plan, Mr Jenkin dismissed it as 'enormous complacency'.
  • The Prime Minister retorted, attributing the issue to 'underinvestment by the last [Conservative] government and the stripping out and hollowing out of our armed forces'.

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