Nigel Farage says UK 'should not get involved in a foreign war' amid HMS Dragon's slow deployment to Cyprus amid Iran conflict
Nigel Farage has said that the UK should not “get ourselves in another foreign war”.
The Reform UK party leader, who spoke on the Isle of Wight last night and is due in Basingstoke tonight, has criticised the government for its tardiness in deploying HMS Dragon to Cyprus, and said that the UK does not have the capability to get involved in a conflict.
His Reform UK party has faced criticism for its inconsistent position on whether Britain should back the US’s military action against Iran, with Nadhim Zahawi saying the UK should join the bombing and Mr Farage previously sending mixed messages.
Asked about his stance on Tuesday, Mr Farage said: “Given that we can’t even send a Royal Navy vessel to defend British sovereign territory and an RAF base, we certainly don’t have the capability to offer anything of any value to the Americans or the Israelis.”
He added: “There are differing opinions as to whether we should physically join the attacks. I, as leader, am saying to you, if we can’t even defend Cyprus, let’s not get ourselves involved in another foreign war.”
Pressed on how he would respond to a potential US request for help from UK troops, Mr Farage also said: “We don’t have the soldiers anyway. Even if we did, I would say it’s no to boots on the ground.”
HMS Dragon is currently back at the ammunition jetty in Portsmouth. As yet there has been no day announced for her departure. This morning the MoD has said that RFA Lyme Bay is being readied for deployment to the eastern Mediterranean from Gibraltar, where she has been undergoing maintenance.
Last Wednesday Mr Farage suggested that Britain joining the US in its war on Iran was a different situation to the Iraq war, and that it was worthwhile.
Speaking at a central London press conference then, he said: “There are times to say no to the Americans, absolutely. We should have said no a couple of times in the last 25 years. Of course, because Saddam Hussein didn’t pose any direct threat to this country, they had to invent a threat.
“I would argue in the case of Iran, since October 7 this country has fundamentally changed as a result of terrorism funded by Iran. Frankly, if this operation stops Iran getting a nuclear weapon, it would have been worth it. I believe that very, very strongly. I’m really incredibly nervous about intervening in foreign wars, I believe it’s the right one.”