No British bases for Trump’s war on Iran

As the US gets set to enter for its sixth month of war on Iran, a survey of British public opinion shows, like our US counterparts, we remain unconvinced of the justice or need for the US-Israel war.

The day after Prime Minister Andy Burnham took up residence in No 10, a YouGov survey of over 4,500 adults showed a majority of people in Britain continue to oppose the use of British bases in President Trump’s war. A clear majority, 58% of us oppose the use of UK bases, compared to 26% who support giving the US access.

When the poll is broken down according to voting choices, 73% of Labour voters opposed the use of UK bases, compared to 14% who supported their use by the US; and 83% of Greens and 60% of LibDems also opposed US using British bases. Opinion among Conservative voters was roughly evenly divided – 42% opposed, compared to 45% who supported. Even among Reform voters almost one third remained unconvinced  – 30% opposed the use of British bases compared to 53% who backed giving Trump access.

CND General Secretary SOPHIE BOLT said: ‘The majority of the British population oppose this deadly war and oppose Trump’s use of British bases. We need to send a strong message to the government that we will not be dragged into a devastating war with Iran.’

British public opinion has opposed Trump’s use of UK bases for his war on Iran. YouGov’s poll on 2 March, three days after US-Israeli bombardment began, found 49% of adults in Britain opposed the war compared to 28% who supported it. The pattern has remined the same throughout the military campaign, with the number opposing the use of UK bases growing as the war progressed.

A few days into the war, ex-PM Keir Starmer’s gave Trump permission to use UK bases for ‘defensive’ strikes on Iranian capabilities, specifically RAF Fairford in in Gloucestershire, and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Starmer’s policy is widely understood as ambiguous – many believe deliberately so. Since taking office, Burnham has confirmed the US can continue to use British bases ‘in some cases’.

Following an attack on Iran by a US B-1 bomber stationed at RAF Fairford this week, Iran’s Foreign Minister called the UK an ‘accomplice’ in the US war. The Iranian military have warned of retaliation, saying any country which gives the US military support ‘will be responsible for the consequences and repercussions’. In an escalation of words, the UK government has responded saying Britain ‘stands ready 24/7 to defend itself’ and is ‘working closely with Nato allies’.

What you can do

Join CND’s emergency protest at Fairford this Saturday, 25 July, from 12.30 at RAF Fairford Main Gate.