Time for Starmer to stay strong and lead

THE British people are on Keir Starmer's side and a Prime Minister authoritatively speaking for the country would be wise to keep us out of Donald Trump's illegal war as the Gulf goes up in flames.

- KEVIN MAGUIRE

With UK opinion polls showing heavy majorities against joining the US President's ill-conceived military mayhem, the latest by Opinium finding two-to-one oppose joining American-Israeli attacks on Iran, Starmer would sign his political death warrant if he now surrendered.

Taunting Trump, Tony Blair desperately seeking to justify his own Iraq disaster and plastic patriots led by needy Nigel Farage cheering on deranged Donald are enemies any smart PM would pick for a fight.

Popularity is largely unknown territory for a Premier on the backfoot from soon after the start of a Downing Street brittle tenancy but for once he's leading instead of being led.