In a move that has sparked outrage across the political spectrum, Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party has been accused of a “surrender” to China after approving the construction of a massive new Chinese embassy in central London. The decision, which has been described as an “act of self-sabotage” by Conservative MP Esther McVey, has left many Labour MPs deeply concerned about the potential security risks and the rights of minority groups such as the Uyghurs and Tibetans.
The new 22,000-square-metre embassy, which will be located near the Tower of London, has been the subject of intense debate, with critics raising fears that it could be used by Beijing as a base for espionage and a crackdown on dissidents. A group of nine Labour MPs have written a letter to the government urging them to reject the proposal, citing “significant and unresolved” security concerns.
Speaking on the Daily Express podcast, Ms. McVey, who is a Tory MP, said that many Labour backbenchers were “unhappy” with the decision and were “looking to protect the rights” of people who have fled Hong Kong due to the Chinese government’s crackdown. She went on to describe the approval of the embassy as a “shameful week” in British politics, stating that it will “forever go down in history as Starmer’s surrender week.”
The controversy has also been linked to the fallout from the Chagos sovereignty deal and the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, which MPs voted in favour of this week. Ms. McVey accused the Labour Party of “weakening our nation by dismantling our national security” and compared the Chinese embassy to a “Trojan horse” that will allow Beijing to take over the UK “from within.”
The government has insisted that national security is being “appropriately managed” and that the UK’s intelligence agencies have put in place a “package of national security mitigation.” However, the backlash from both sides of the House has highlighted the deep divisions and concerns surrounding this decision, and it remains to be seen how Starmer and the Labour Party will navigate this politically charged issue.
