David Cameron: western strikes on Houthi rebels are ‘a very clear message’

This week the US and UK launched military strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, following repeated Houthi attacks on Red Sea cargo ships. Speaking to Laura Kuenssberg, David Cameron suggested the strikes sent a message that western countries were prepared to ‘follow our words and warnings with actions’. Kuenssberg questioned whether the strikes would have much impact, given the Houthi rebels’ declaration that they will step up their own attacks. Cameron pointed out that Houthi attacks have been escalating since November, and said military action was the only option.

Cameron: South Africa’s genocide case against Israel is ‘nonsense’

The Houthi rebels say they are fighting against Israel and in support of Palestinians, prompting Kuenssberg to ask Cameron whether a more effective way to stop Houthi attacks might be to push Israel to agree to a ceasefire. This week, South Africa brought a case accusing Israel of genocide to the International Court of Justice. But on Sky News, Cameron was direct in his criticism of the case, describing it as ‘wrong’ and ‘unhelpful’. He claimed that it was ‘nonsense’ to suggest Israel had the intention to commit genocide against the Palestinian people, although he has previously admitted he is worried Israel may have broken international law.

Starmer rows back on previous military policies

Keir Starmer has been largely standing with the government on its actions in the Middle East and was supportive again today in response to the UK carrying out strikes in Yemen before parliament could be consulted. However, Kuenssberg played Starmer a clip of himself in 2020 saying he would pass legislation that would require parliament to give approval before military action could be taken. Starmer said there was no inconsistency in his view, claiming he had always meant there would be a distinction between a sustained operation with troops on the ground, and a specific action that needed to be taken quickly. Kunessberg then asked him if he still stood by his previous pledge to stop selling arms to Saudi Arabia. Starmer said there needed to be a review into all arms sales, but repeatedly avoided confirming whether his views on sales to Saudi Arabia remained the same.

Starmer on Labour’s green targets: ‘we do need investment’

Starmer has repeatedly stated Labour’s pledge to invest £28 billion in green energy and to achieve completely clean power by 2030. However, he also admitted this investment would be subject to ‘fiscal rules’. Kuenssberg asked how a Labour government could achieve these goals if they weren’t committed to the cost. Starmer said that it would require private investment and that there would have to be overhauls to planning regulations and the National Grid in order to achieve Labour’s goals – but reaffirmed his party’s commitment to the policy.

Cameron: migrant deaths ‘just shows we’ve got to stop the boats’

Finally, five migrants died attempting to cross the channel this morning and around 70 were rescued after a small boat overturned while attempting to launch from France. Cameron described the situation as heartbreaking, and said it was further evidence that we had to ‘stop the boats’. Kuenssberg pointed that the government had been unsuccessful in trying to deal with the problem for years. Cameron said that ‘busting the model of the people smugglers’ was the only way to deal with the problem and that the Rwanda scheme was essential to create the deterrent required.