Four days ago, the world marked the fourth anniversary of the commencement of President Putin’s “Special Military Operation” in Ukraine. Today, the world marks the commencement of President Trump’s “Special Military Operation” in Iran.
Now, BG readers may suggest that “Special Military Operation” is a mere euphemism for “war”. However in President Trump’s case the euphemism is necessary as President Trump tends to eschew the US Congress (that has the constitutional prerogative to continue a war) like King Charles I, who desired to govern without Parliament.
As with President Putin’s ill-fated decision, many will be affected by President Trump’s decision. These include (in both cases) other leaders of other countries. Clearly, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine was very much affected, as was President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus.
In President Trump’s case, his “Special Military Operation” not only affects Iran’s leadership but also that of the leaders of the USA’s allies. In particular, The Right Honourable Sir Keir Starmer, PC, KCB, KC, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the Member for Holborn and St Pancras.
Another two UK politicians will be particularly affected as well. These are:
– Mr Nigel Farage, Leader of Reform UK and the Member for Clacton.
– Mr Zack Polanski, the Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales and a member of the London Assembly (AM).
You see, these “Three Gentleman in proximity of Vauxhall” (in the London Borough of Lambeth) as opposed to the 2025 UCI School of Humanities “Three Gentlemen of Verona” – a “queer” adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet focusing on Benvolio, Tybalt, and Mercutio – are going to suffer differences in their political fortunes that will vary by how President Trump’s “Special Military Operation” turns out!
In the case of Sir Keir Starmer who is performing that most uncomfortable of positions, “fence sitting” he occupies that uncertain void that oscillates between lukewarm support and lukewarm criticism that pleases nobody.
There is logic in Sir Keir Starmer’s choice. The UK has taken in large numbers of undocumented persons described by him as “irregular migrants”. Most are male and many of these are perfectly decent fellows whose desire is to seek a better and more financially rewarding life. However, some turn out to be criminals. Sir Keir Starmer fears (correctly) that some might turnout to be terrorists. Sir Keir Starmer knows that if the UK were to openly (and logistically) support military action against Iran; the risk of terrorist attacks in the UK would increase greatly. Sir Keir Starmer therefore has decided to adopt a position as close to neutrality as practical politics can get.
Well to the left of Sir Keir Starmer, Mr Zack Polanski has no reservations whatsoever about criticising President Trump’s action against Iran!
Conversely, well to the right of Sir Keir Starmer, Mr Nigel Farage has no reservations whatsoever about criticising Sir Keir Starmer’s lack of support for President Trump’s action against Iran!
You see, the fortunes of ALL three of these Gentleman in proximity of Vauxhall will be decided upon by the degree of success or failure of President Trump’s action against Iran!
IF President Trump’s action against Iran turns out to be an unmitigated disaster, then Sir Keir Starmer’s caution and timidity will be fortuitous whilst Mr Zack Polanski’s star will rise greatly – to the great disadvantage of Labour!
However: There are indications that President Trump’s action against Iran might not turn out to be an unmitigated disaster but one of very great success with the present regime in Iran being replaced by a democratic restoration of the monarchy in Iran.
IF this happens (and it is a very big “if”), this success will transform President Trump’s political fortunes that have been heavily overshadowed by the ongoing scandal that is the “Epstein Files”!
Should this happen, Mr Farage’s and Reform UK’s criticism of Sir Keir Starmer’s caution and timidity will further enhance Reform UK’s fortunes and poll ratings. Which will cause Sir Keir Starmer and his Labour colleagues to (rightly) dread the upcoming May elections!