MPs Unite In Scathing Attack On Government's 'Weak' US Stance

A rare display of cross-party unity has seen UK Members of Parliament launch a fierce critique of ministers, accusing them of a "cautious" and "weak" response to recent controversial US actions. The government's reluctance to condemn American moves against Venezuela, and initial hesitancy over Greenland, has sparked widespread concern across the political spectrum. Frustration boiled over in the Commons on Monday night as MPs from Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and even the Conservative benches rounded on Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. Their anger stemmed from the government's measured reaction to the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, with both Ms Cooper and the Prime Minister seemingly unwilling to directly criticise the legality of the US's actions. Labour's Emily Thornberry, who chairs the foreign affairs select committee, didn't mince words. She argued that if a powerful nation abducts another country's leader, particularly when seeking access to resources, it constitutes a "breach of international law" that Britain and its allies must unequivocally condemn. Her sentiments were echoed by fellow Labour MP Richard Burgon, who suggested the Prime Minister had disregarded the UN charter and failed to explain his stance to Parliament. The criticism wasn't confined to Labour. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey acknowledged Maduro as a "brutal, illegitimate dictator" but stressed that this did not grant President Trump a "free pass for illegal action." Perhaps most strikingly, former Conservative Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt warned that the very future of NATO could be jeopardised if Western allies didn't challenge American threats, citing a hypothetical future annexation of Greenland as a potential alliance-breaker. He suggested Europe appeared "weak and divided" in its response. In her defence, Ms Cooper told the Commons she had emphasised the importance of international law during her discussions with her US counterpart. However, she stopped short of labelling the US action illegal, stating it was for Washington to provide its justification. The Prime Minister, meanwhile, said he wanted to "establish the facts" before passing judgment on the Venezuela situation. The delicate diplomatic tightrope walk was further highlighted by contrasting statements on Greenland. While Home Office Minister Mike Tapp initially refused to directly criticise the idea of a US takeover, citing "delicate diplomacy," the Prime Minister later offered a robust defence of Denmark, asserting that Greenland's future rested solely with the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland itself. This internal inconsistency only added to the perception of a government struggling to balance its relationship with the US against its commitment to international law. --- Managing your business finances? TaxAce provides smart online accountancy services for UK businesses with flexible monthly plans. Image and reporting: https://www.theguardian.com | Read original article