Reporting and opinion by Mathew Carr

Timeline follows below (most recent stuff at the bottom).

CarrZee note: Committee members didn’t press Starmer much on the important issues…though did ask about some of them (see bottom).

Starmer became most animated when pushing back on requests to finish defence-and-security spending plans …Starmer got flustered at one point and repeatedly blamed 14 years of Tory underspending on the bad state of defence spending in Britain.

Climate got a small opening near the end of the 90-minute hearing.

It’s possible that the UK might sanction products produced in illegal settlements in Palestine — this is one of the only areas of news I could spot …so the hearing was a wasted opportunity … pretty much a fake attempt to hold the PM to account (I say this with respect, especially to the few committee members who did try to ask pointed questions…and the chairman simply allowed the PM to dodge questions. She should have insisted the PM answer …or at least made the PM decline to answer. The chairman [chairwoman] should only get one more chance to lift her game IMO.)

Starmer gets questioned about why he has not spent fast enough on war…and gets flustered when pressed. This is pretty much the only time the committee really presses Starmer.

He is being held to account on side issues (CarrZee).

Not one question on why he wasn’t consulted on by the USA BEFORE THE START of the Iran violence.

Starmer is still unclear where money is coming from for increased defence and security spending.

Starmer is considering helping voters to deal with energy-price increases but no one is asking has he stood up to President Trump adequately–this question is never asked in a clear way …see near the bottom.

Hearing began at 2:30pm in London.

It’s now 3:07pm.

Trump caused the inflation. The committee members are pathetically ignoring this (at this stage).

3:11pm: To his credit Starmer did just say the “war” should mean a faster push for renewable power.

3:13pm: Government is working at speed on some oil and gas projects, Starmer says.

3:15pm: Starmer blames Scottish National Party for holdups on small-modular reactors and slow defence spending in that country.

3:25pm: Chair of committee talks about it being warm in the hearing room …meaning Westminster is wasting money on heating while the people can’t afford to pay their bills….including energy bills.

3:27pm…Finally Starmer asked a good question on the UK relying too much on companies, including Palantir, which may not hold to UK values ….Starmer says he does not think Britain is over reliant on a few (US) companies to serve the UK govt industry (which is laughable IMO). He does not address Palantir question directly.

3:34pm…Starmer finally asked about how he is leading on de-escalation of Iran violence. “Collective self defence yes, but this is not our war,” Starmer says.

Starmer says Russia is the aggressor in Ukraine yet Starmer fails to name aggressor in Iran AND NO ONE ASKS HIM TO DO SO.

“I think the UN is really important,” Starmer says….yet the PM failed to make the obvious point: THE UN NEEDS TO BE STRONGER TO GUARDRAIL AGAINST UNMANAGEABLE NATIONAL LEADERS LIKE TRUMP.

3:41pm: Starmer finally asked what’s he doing about Israel’s bad behavior in settling unlawfully across Palestine and encroaching on Lebanon (for instance).

Starmer says he is working with others on solutions, but is very vague. (He later says he might consider sanctions on products manufactured in unlawful settlements, yet remains vague)

3:48pm: Starmer asked about his cutting of climate finance. He says he is considering public-private options rather than straight govt spending. No news here I think.

3:58pm: Starmer fails to name allies in the Gulf when given a chance ….hmmm …speaks about vessels needing protection.

4ish pm, after scheduled end of the hearing: Starmer finally asked about how he handles Trump pressure….implies Trump does deliberately try to pressure him. Starmer says he remains “laser focused” on the UK interest.

Q: You yesterday, you had a call with President Trump. Today, you’ve got a Cobra meeting about the domestic matters as the world faces these challenges, and as you’re dealing with President Trump, who does make some quite rude comments about the UK —one day, and sometimes, sometimes is supportive of the UK, it’s you who are dealing. Seems like different presidents on different days of the week. Have you got a message for the public about how you are personally facing these challenges, and how the country needs to face the challenges of the world order and the challenge to the world order?

PM: Yes, I’m utterly focused on what’s what’s in the best interests of our country, and I’m unapologetic about that. And notwithstanding the pressure that comes from elsewhere, I will remain laser focused on what is in the British national interest. And a lot of what is said or done is undoubtedly said and done to put pressure on me. I have no doubt about that. I understand exactly what is going on, but I’m not going to be wavering on this. I’m the British prime minister, and my job is to be absolutely focused on what’s in the British national interest that has served me well in recent weeks, and that is the principle that I’ll continue to adhere to as we go forward, taking difficult decisions, notwithstanding the pressure that comes from me from a number of different places.”