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Labour’s general election manifesto includes a commitment to uphold “the international rule of law,” a stance that aligns well with the background of its leader, Sir Keir Starmer, a former international human rights lawyer. This pledge appeared straightforward and uncontroversial until recent events in Venezuela complicated the situation. Following the dramatic seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores by American forces in Caracas, the prime minister’s comments on whether this action breached international law were noticeably cautious.
In the immediate aftermath of Washington’s operation, Sir Keir’s public statements were notably restrained considering the seriousness of the circumstances. In a social media post, he highlighted the UK’s long-standing support for a “transition of power” in Venezuela without directly addressing the means by which this transition was enforced. This measured response reflects an ongoing approach from No 10 in dealing with the unpredictable nature of the US president, opting for quiet pragmatism and private conversations rather than public condemnation.
The prime minister had already, around a year ago, decided to avoid publicly commenting on the likely tumultuous second term of Donald Trump. His strategy aims to maintain a constructive relationship with the White House and avoid inflammatory exchanges with a president known for his volatility. Supporters point to tangible achievements like the UK government’s negotiation with Washington to limit the damage from US tariffs, a move credited with saving thousands of jobs at Jaguar Land Rover. They argue that any public criticism would be both immature and counterproductive to British interests.
Despite this official reticence, the government’s ambiguity has drawn criticism from various quarters, including some Labour backbench MPs, the Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party, and the Green Party of England and Wales, all of whom want a stronger denunciation of President Trump’s actions. Some Labour members were particularly critical of Starmer’s remark that the US “needs to justify the actions it has taken,” seeing it as unjustifiably allowing Washington to avoid scrutiny. Nonetheless, there has been some sympathy for the government’s careful stance from Conservative figures who believe that open rebuke of the US administration would not benefit the UK. Within Labour ranks, unease exists, though it is more subdued and focused on Trump himself than on the prime minister’s handling of the matter. One MP remarked, “I suspect it’s because we recognise that Trump is a massive loose cannon and Starmer is having to go very canny right now.
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