Has Starmer got it right over his Iran War response?
Electoral Dysfunction
Sky News
4.4 • 764 Ratings
🗓️ 6 March 2026
⏱️ 43 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
President Donald Trump has said he was “very disappointed” in Keir Starmer. Did the Prime Minister fall short of his reputation on the international stage? Or has he put Britain first by standing up to Trump? And will we look back at this moment as a success for him?
It’s been a huge week in the Middle East with global repercussions and Beth, Ruth and Harriet are discussing how Keir Starmer has dealt with it all.
Ruth explains why she thinks Starmer should have rained ‘fire and brimstone’ on Iran for their attack on the British bases at Akrotiri in Cyprus.
Meanwhile, Harriet explains how Iraq’s legacy still looms large over Labour and is playing into their decisions over Iran.
And Beth explains the leaks from the National Security Meetings where decisions were made over Iran and what it says about Starmer’s leadership.
Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk.
And if you didn't know, you can also watch Beth, Ruth and Harriet on YouTube.
Transcript
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| 0:32.1 | Sky News, the full story first. |
| 0:50.4 | Thank you. The Full Story First Hello and welcome to Electoral Dysfunction with me, Beth Rigby, me Ruth Davidson, and me Harriet Harmon. |
| 0:55.6 | Well, a lot can change in a week and it's been one of those weeks, hasn't it? I'm talking, |
| 1:01.6 | of course, about the developments in the Middle East where last weekend, the US and Israel attacked Iran and killed their supreme leader Ayatollah Khomeini. And this is a war that Kirstarmer wants to stay |
| 1:10.5 | out of. He doesn't want the UK to get involved. |
| 1:13.7 | He says it's because of international law. There was a nod to the long memories that Labour have |
| 1:19.8 | over the Iraq War, which he himself has mentioned. And so we're going to get into all of this, |
| 1:26.1 | why it's causing the Prime Minister difficulties |
| 1:29.3 | and some of the fierce responses he's had from opposition politicians as well. |
| 1:34.9 | Although we knew that something might be coming, we'd heard Trump talking directly to the |
| 1:39.2 | Iranian people saying, you know, hang on, we're going to be there, we're going to act for you. |
| 1:43.4 | It was still a shock when it happens. We'll get to all of that, plus how Starmer's decision making is affecting |
| 1:50.2 | the so-called special relationship with America, whether he should be doing more or not. Plus, |
| 1:55.7 | we'll try and answer some of your questions because you've been firing up the burner phone. |
| 1:59.9 | And before we get to all of that, just a reminder to make sure you're following us wherever you get your podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. And if you prefer to watch us, you can find our episodes on YouTube too. Yeah, I put on a jacket every week just for the people that watch on YouTube. Like I'm sitting in my house. I've got jeans on underneath. I should probably just be sitting here in like kicks or a shirt or a t-shirt. |
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