Labour MPs Rebel Against Starmer Over Chagos Deal

LONDON

A small but significant group of Labour MPs has broken ranks with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government over the controversial deal to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, exposing internal unease within the governing party over one of its most sensitive foreign policy decisions.

The rebellion emerged during Commons votes on legislation designed to give legal force to the UK-Mauritius agreement, which would see Britain relinquish control of the British Indian Ocean Territory while retaining long-term access to the strategically vital UK-US military base on Diego Garcia. Three Labour backbenchers Graham Stringer, Peter Lamb, and Bell Ribeiro-Addy voted against the government by supporting amendments passed by the House of Lords that sought to tighten oversight of the deal.

Those amendments would have required greater transparency over the financial cost of the agreement, parliamentary approval of annual payments to Mauritius, and provisions to halt payments if the military base became unusable. All were defeated by the government, which relied on large Commons majorities to overturn the Lords’ proposals.

Ministers have defended the deal as essential to safeguarding national security and preserving the future of the Diego Garcia base, arguing that unresolved legal challenges to British sovereignty posed a growing risk to continued operations. The government says the agreement provides a stable, internationally recognised framework while maintaining close defence cooperation with the United States and NATO allies.

However, the rebels voiced concerns about the lack of scrutiny surrounding the treaty’s terms and the long-term financial commitments involved. Some MPs also raised questions about sovereignty and the treatment of Chagossians, many of whom were forcibly displaced decades ago and continue to campaign for greater rights and consultation.

The rebellion, though limited in numbers, has highlighted broader discomfort within Labour over the agreement. Critics outside the party, including Conservatives and Reform UK, have strongly opposed the deal, framing it as a surrender of British territory and warning of strategic consequences. The issue has already triggered wider political fallout, including defections and sharp public criticism.

Downing Street has remained firm, insisting the deal is in the national interest and stressing that the military base will remain fully operational under the new arrangements. Foreign Office ministers have rejected calls to delay or reopen negotiations, arguing that prolonged uncertainty would only weaken the UK’s position.

Despite the internal dissent, the government’s legislation is expected to pass without further difficulty. Still, the episode underscores the political sensitivity of the Chagos deal and reveals rare cracks in Labour unity on foreign policy, an area where party discipline is usually strong. As the agreement moves closer to implementation, it is likely to remain a flashpoint both within Parliament and in the wider national debate over sovereignty, security, and Britain’s role on the global stage.

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