Keir Starmer has firmly defended the service and sacrifices of British troops following controversial comments from US Vice President JD Vance, 

who appeared to dismiss the UK’s military contributions. 

Vance’s remarks sparked widespread criticism from British politicians and former ministers, 

who pointed out that the UK has been actively involved in conflicts alongside the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan.

During an interview on Fox News, Vance suggested that sending American investors to Ukraine would be a more effective security measure 

than deploying “20,000 troops from some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years.” 

His comments immediately drew backlash, with many interpreting them as a dismissal of the UK’s and France’s military contributions, particularly as both nations have committed to sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine.

Following the uproar, Vance attempted to clarify his statement, insisting that he was not referring to the UK or France and calling the accusations against him “absurdly dishonest.” However, many British officials remained unconvinced and condemned his remarks as disrespectful to those who have served and sacrificed in armed conflicts.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s official spokesman declined to directly label Vance’s comments as disrespectful but reaffirmed the UK government’s deep admiration for British troops who have served in conflicts such as Iraq and Afghanistan. He emphasized that these troops have played a crucial role in global security, defending democratic values and national interests alongside allied forces, including those of the United States.

Several high-profile figures spoke out against Vance’s statement. Former Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer did not hold back in his criticism, calling Vance a “clown” and highlighting the US Vice President’s own admission that his time in the Marine Corps was largely spent writing articles and taking photographs. Mercer contrasted this with the experiences of British and American troops who were engaged in intense combat operations due to American foreign policy decisions.

Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge also weighed in, reminding Vance that NATO’s Article 5 was invoked after the 9/11 attacks, leading to thousands of British and French personnel being deployed to Afghanistan in support of the United States. Cartlidge described it as “deeply disrespectful” to ignore the sacrifices made by these service members.

Former Armed Forces Minister James Heappey, himself a military veteran, echoed these sentiments, stating that serving alongside US and French forces had been defining moments in his career. He expressed disappointment at Vance’s reduction of the UK-US military relationship to such dismissive language.

Conservative MP and former British Army officer Ben Obese-Jecty also criticized Vance, recalling that the US Vice President had written in his 2016 memoir about how he had “escaped any real fighting” during his time in Iraq. Obese-Jecty contrasted this with his own experience, having been involved in intense combat operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He condemned Vance’s comments as “unacceptable” and an insult to those who have risked their lives in service.

The controversy surrounding Vance’s remarks has further highlighted the enduring strength of the UK’s military contributions and its close alliance with the United States. British troops have played a pivotal role in international conflicts, working alongside American forces to uphold global security. The UK’s commitment to NATO and its role in major military interventions over the past few decades stand as undeniable proof of its dedication to international security.

Despite Vance’s attempts to walk back his comments, the reaction from British officials underscores the deep respect and appreciation for the sacrifices made by the nation’s armed forces. The strong rebuttals from political and military figures serve as a reminder that the UK’s military contributions should never be dismissed or overlooked, particularly by its closest allies.

Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.