Opportunities, perils and pitfalls: how UK parties have responded to war in Iran

"During prime minister's questions on Wednesday, she accused Starmer of not taking offensive action after attacks on UK bases. However, that position appears to be in line with only 15% of Tory voters, who according to YouGov, think the UK should actively be joining the attack on Iran. Thirty-seven per cent believe the UK military stance should be purely defensive while another 37% want it to be purely retaliatory."

"Badenoch's position was unusual in comparison with past opposition leaders who calibrated or spared criticism of government positions in wartime, Bale said, adding: You probably have to go back to Suez where you had the opposition, then Labour, eventually taking a contradictory line. Michael Howard was supportive on Iraq though he later regretted it."

"Nigel Farage is leading the party whose voters appear to be most evenly split when it comes to views of the war. Nearly a quarter (24%) of Reform voters think the UK should actively be joining the attack on Iran. Farage, who has given his full-throated endorsement of regime change in Iran, has insisted he does not follow public opinion."

Kemi Badenoch has adopted an unusually aggressive approach as Conservative opposition leader, criticizing Prime Minister Starmer for insufficient military action following attacks on UK bases. This contrasts sharply with historical Conservative caution during wartime and contradicts her own party's voter preferences. YouGov polling reveals only 15% of Conservative voters support active UK military engagement with Iran, while 37% each prefer purely defensive or retaliatory stances. Veteran Conservative MP Edward Leigh's intervention highlighted this disconnect. Badenoch's position represents a departure from predecessors like Michael Howard, who calibrated wartime criticism carefully. Reform UK voters show similar caution, with leader Nigel Farage's endorsement of regime change potentially alienating supporters who favor defensive or retaliatory responses.

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