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UK signs deal to hand Chagos Islands to Mauritius

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UK hits back after Trump slams Starmer for 'great stupidity' on the Chagos Islands deal backed by Marco Rubio

KemiBadenoch

Metaculus

Conservative UK PM on Jan 1, 2030

Legal Consequences of the Separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965

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General Assembly Welcomes International Court of Justice Opinion on Chagos Archipelago, Adopts Text Calling for Mauritius’ Complete Decolonization

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"The way things are going, just a year in — I genuinely think he will leave. I think he will be forced out."

"Starmer might have to go in months."

"I predict that before this year is out, Keir Starmer will be out."

"I don't think he will survive a year [as prime minister]."

"Of course [he will be prime minister till 2029]."

How Long Will Keir Starmer Be UK's Prime Minister?

U.S. President Donald Trump accused the U.K. of "an act of great stupidity" in returning sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to the Mauritius in a Truth Social post in the early hours of Tuesday, adding that it was "another in a very long line of National Security reasons why Greenland has to be acquired."

Donald Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump accused the U.K. of "an act of great stupidity" in returning sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to the Mauritius in a Truth Social post in the early hours of Tuesday, adding that it was "another in a very long line of National Security reasons why Greenland has to be acquired."

When the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/court-blocks-uks-chagos-islands-deal-in-lastminute-ruling">Chagos deal was signed in May last year</a>, which included provisions allowing the U.K. to lease the largest island of Diego Garcia — home to a U.K.-U.S. military base — for 99 years, it was welcomed by the Trump administration.

When the Chagos deal was signed in May last year, which included provisions allowing the U.K. to lease the largest island of Diego Garcia — home to a U.K.-U.S. military base — for 99 years, it was welcomed by the Trump administration.

At the time, a statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: "We commend both the United Kingdom and Mauritius for their leadership, vision, and commitment to ensure that Diego Garcia remains fully operational for the duration of this agreement. We look forward to working closely with both governments to strengthen our collaboration in support of regional peace and stability."

At the time, a statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: "We commend both the United Kingdom and Mauritius for their leadership, vision, and commitment to ensure that Diego Garcia remains fully operational for the duration of this agreement. We look forward to working closely with both governments to strengthen our collaboration in support of regional peace and stability."

It added that the deal reflected "the enduring strength" of the U.S.-U.K. relationship but the recent change of tune appeared to be triggered by a press conference by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Monday. It called for "calm discussion" with the U.S. over the fate of Greenland but went on to describe <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2026/trump-threatens-tariffs-on-nations-over-greenland-deal">Trump's threat of tariffs to acquire the territory</a> as "completely wrong."

It added that the deal reflected "the enduring strength" of the U.S.-U.K. relationship but the recent change of tune appeared to be triggered by a press conference by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Monday. It called for "calm discussion" with the U.S. over the fate of Greenland but went on to describe Trump's threat of tariffs to acquire the territory as "completely wrong."

Trump's post soon after described the U.K. as "our 'brilliant' NATO ally," and accused it of handing over Diego Garcia "FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER."

Trump's post soon after described the U.K. as "our 'brilliant' NATO ally," and accused it of handing over Diego Garcia "FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER."

"There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness," he added. "These are International Powers who only recognize STRENGTH, which is why the United States of America, under my leadership, is now, after only one year, respected like never before." Trump called on Denmark and European allies to: "DO THE RIGHT THING."

"There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness," he added. "These are International Powers who only recognize STRENGTH, which is why the United States of America, under my leadership, is now, after only one year, respected like never before." Trump called on Denmark and European allies to: "DO THE RIGHT THING."

The U.K.'s handing over of Diego Garcia to Mauritius was an act of great stupidity and was no doubt seen by countries like China and Russia as a sign of total weakness. It is yet another reason why the U.S., which is acting from a position of strength and is respected like no other occasion, has to acquire Greenland.

The U.K.'s handing over of Diego Garcia to Mauritius was an act of great stupidity and was no doubt seen by countries like China and Russia as a sign of total weakness. It is yet another reason why the U.S., which is acting from a position of strength and is respected like no other occasion, has to acquire Greenland.

The U.K. would never do anything to jeopardize national security. The deal on the Chagos Islands and Diego Garcia was reached because a number of international court decisions ruled that Britain's presence on the island was contrary to law. The absence of a deal would have restricted its ability to operate there so by securing an agreement — which was welcomed by all Five Eyes allies, including the U.S. — it was able to guarantee its presence there for generations.

The U.K. would never do anything to jeopardize national security. The deal on the Chagos Islands and Diego Garcia was reached because a number of international court decisions ruled that Britain's presence on the island was contrary to law. The absence of a deal would have restricted its ability to operate there so by securing an agreement — which was welcomed by all Five Eyes allies, including the U.S. — it was able to guarantee its presence there for generations.

President Trump is right that the U.K.'s giving away of the Chagos Islands was an act of stupidity. It was also an act of self-sabotage as well, given that it degrades Britain's security and makes the U.K. look weak in front of its adversaries. Starmer has the chance to change course on Chagos. Hopefully Trump will reverse course on Greenland as well.

President Trump is right that the U.K.'s giving away of the Chagos Islands was an act of stupidity. It was also an act of self-sabotage as well, given that it degrades Britain's security and makes the U.K. look weak in front of its adversaries. Starmer has the chance to change course on Chagos. Hopefully Trump will reverse course on Greenland as well.

Kemi Badenoch

There is a 21% that the U.K. will have a Conservative PM at the beginning of 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 21% that the U.K. will have a Conservative PM at the beginning of 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Trump Links Greenland Ambitions to UK's 'Great Stupidity' on Chagos Islands Deal

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