Lord Hermer's Dangerous Gambit
Lord Hermer's surrender of the Chagos Islands and focus on 'international law' threatens global security
The Starmer Government's fixation with international law, particularly championed by Attorney General Lord Hermer, represents a dangerous miscalculation threatening British interests and global security. The Chagos Islands controversy illustrates this problematic approach.
Lord Hermer's proclamation that surrendering the Chagos Islands to Mauritius would "demonstrate our deep commitment to international law" reveals a concerning prioritisation of abstract legal principles over practical security considerations. This stance is particularly troubling for several reasons:
Strategic Vulnerability
The timing is concerning: Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit Washington next week, seeking Trump's approval to surrender the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. This comes despite the Chagossian people's opposition to becoming part of Mauritius, where they faced discrimination and second-class status. The British Left's concern with abstract legal principles over the wishes of the displaced Chagossians speaks volumes about their true priorities.
The Chagos Islands, especially Diego Garcia, are a crucial military installation in the Indian Ocean. As China seeks to reshape the global order and expand its influence in the Indian Ocean, weakening this strategic position based on a non-binding ICJ ruling is remarkably short-sighted. Pursuing this decision against the wishes of the very people it claims to benefit makes it doubly unacceptable.
Questions of Corruption
Starmer's proposal to pay billions of pounds to Mauritius has raised serious red flags. The former Mauritian Prime Minister who negotiated the transfer is currently embroiled in a money-laundering investigation, with significant cash discoveries adding to the scandal. Conservative MP Robert Jenrick's characterisation of the payment as a potential bribe reflects concerns about the legitimacy of this transaction and Starmer's judgment in pursuing it.
Naïve Trust in International Agreements
The British Government claims to have secured a 99-year lease agreement with Mauritius, but this arrangement ignores the complex realities of international relations. Mauritius's track record of governmental corruption and its growing economic ties with China raise serious concerns about the long-term security of these agreements. The ongoing money-laundering investigation into Mauritian leadership underscores these concerns.
China's Opportunistic Approach
Beijing's willingness to violate international agreements, evidenced by its treatment of Hong Kong, suggests that any transfer of the Chagos Islands could benefit Chinese strategic interests in the region. China's existing free trade agreement with Mauritius and significant investments in the country provide it with considerable influence.
Global Security Implications
Recent Houthi attacks on shipping vessels highlight the Indian Ocean's strategic importance. Weakening Western military presence in this crucial region, particularly when China is expanding its influence through initiatives like the Maritime Silk Road, could further destabilise global maritime security.
Lord Hermer's position reflects a dangerous tendency to prioritise international legal opinions over strategic necessity and practical security concerns. While international law has its place, it must not be elevated above national security interests, especially when such decisions could benefit adversarial powers seeking to reshape the global order.
The British Government should remember that international security often depends more on maintaining strategic positions and deterrence capabilities than on adherence to non-binding legal opinions. Lord Hermer's legalistic approach risks sacrificing long-term security interests for short-term diplomatic posturing.