20/03/2026
SDLP Leader Warns Prime Minister Against Involvement In Iran Conflict
SDLP Leader and MP for South Belfast and Mid Down, Claire Hanna, has urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to ensure the UK does not become drawn into military conflict with Iran.
Speaking in the House of Commons during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Hanna highlighted the risks of military escalation and called for a focus on diplomatic solutions.
Drawing parallels to previous international interventions, Hanna cautioned that the lessons from past conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan must not be ignored. She pointed to the humanitarian impact of recent regional instability, including events in Lebanon and Gaza, using the Irish phrase "Ní mhealltar an sionnach faoi dhó" to suggest that the same mistakes should not be made twice.
Addressing the Prime Minister, Claire Hanna said: "We have been here before. The US and its allies rushing to military escalation without a plan for what comes next. The lessons from Iraq and Afghanistan haven't been learned, we have seen schoolgirls bombed in Iran, families wiped out in Lebanon and the genocide in Gaza looms large in the memory. In Irish there's a phrase - Ní mhealltar an sionnach faoi dhó- have we learnt nothing?"
While Hanna credited the Prime Minister for resisting pressure from certain international allies to escalate the situation, she maintained that the public does not support a "race to war." She argued that government attention should remain on domestic issues, such as rising energy prices, while supporting peaceful change led by the Iranian people.
She continued: "Today I made clear to the Prime Minister that he must not become embroiled in Trump and Netanyahu's war and pressed him to guarantee a vote for Parliament before any entry into the conflict. This is a moment that demands leadership and we cannot allow our future to be dictated by the likes of Trump and Netanyahu who have proved repeatedly that their only real interest is their own."
Hanna's remarks included a formal request for a guaranteed parliamentary vote before any UK commitment to military action is made.
Speaking in the House of Commons during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Hanna highlighted the risks of military escalation and called for a focus on diplomatic solutions.
Drawing parallels to previous international interventions, Hanna cautioned that the lessons from past conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan must not be ignored. She pointed to the humanitarian impact of recent regional instability, including events in Lebanon and Gaza, using the Irish phrase "Ní mhealltar an sionnach faoi dhó" to suggest that the same mistakes should not be made twice.
While Hanna credited the Prime Minister for resisting pressure from certain international allies to escalate the situation, she maintained that the public does not support a "race to war." She argued that government attention should remain on domestic issues, such as rising energy prices, while supporting peaceful change led by the Iranian people.
She continued: "Today I made clear to the Prime Minister that he must not become embroiled in Trump and Netanyahu's war and pressed him to guarantee a vote for Parliament before any entry into the conflict. This is a moment that demands leadership and we cannot allow our future to be dictated by the likes of Trump and Netanyahu who have proved repeatedly that their only real interest is their own."
Hanna's remarks included a formal request for a guaranteed parliamentary vote before any UK commitment to military action is made.
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SDLP Leader Warns Prime Minister Against Involvement In Iran Conflict
SDLP Leader and MP for South Belfast and Mid Down, Claire Hanna, has urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to ensure the UK does not become drawn into military conflict with Iran.
SDLP Leader Warns Prime Minister Against Involvement In Iran Conflict
SDLP Leader and MP for South Belfast and Mid Down, Claire Hanna, has urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to ensure the UK does not become drawn into military conflict with Iran.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.