Next month marks forty years since the United States bombed Libya. Ronald Reagan requested the use of British air bases for F-111s to retaliate against Colonel Gaddafi after the West Berlin discotheque bombing. Margaret Thatcher readily agreed, despite the refusal of France and other European allies. She later reflected on the episode as cementing the ‘Anglo-American alliance’, arguing ‘What’s the good of having bases if, when you want to use them, you’re not allowed to by the home country? It made America realise that Britain was her real and true friend.’

Keir Starmer has taken a rather different view of the ongoing United States action against Iran. His government has previously refused to allow the Diego Garcia or RAF Fairford bases to support any potential US strikes. After bombing began on Saturday, the Prime Minister’s initial response was to confirm that ‘the United Kingdom played no role in these strikes.’ But after........

© The Spectator