Commons Discussion on President Trump's National Security Strategy Marked by Notable Absences
Labour backbencher Matt Western secured an urgent question session in the Commons regarding President Trump's new national security strategy. The session was notably marked by the absences of key figures including Nigel Farage, Kemi Badenoch, and most of the Conservative shadow cabinet. Seema Malhotra, the lowest-ranked Foreign Office minister, delivered the government's response, emphasizing the strength of the US-UK relationship and noting positive elements in the US strategy alongside some caveats. Mike Wood, a shadow Conservative junior minister, initially misinterpreted the question before arguing that the strategy primarily focuses on China and suggested that critics of Russia are engaging in conspiratorial thinking. Notably absent was Darren Jones (Labour), while Western chaired the session, supported by contributions from Chi Onwurah, Liam Byrne, Calum Miller, and Bobby Dean. Labour and Liberal Democrat members characterized the US strategy as risking the destabilization of European democracies, supporting far-right nationalist movements, withdrawing from NATO, and bolstering Russia. They described the strategy as constituting an existential crisis for Europe. Farage's absence was portrayed as hypocritical and possibly indicative of placing personal interest over national interest, referencing his past criticisms of President Obama and positions related to Ukraine.
