Zack Polanski Criticises Andy Burnham Over Saudi Arabia Support

Andy Burnham has been accused of “fuelling wars abroad” after he pledged the UK’s support for Saudi Arabia against Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

The prime minister said an RAF Voyager will be made available for air-to-air refuelling of Saudi jets carrying out defensive missions.

Burnham said he was “acting to secure the interests of Britain and the wider region” by helping Saudi Arabia defend itself from Houthi attacks being launched from Yemen.

He said the support – due to start in the coming days – will be “time-limited” and kept under “review”.

Houthi rebels control parts of Yemen and have been attacking Saudi Arabia since July, when the militants declared a naval blockade.

They also claimed responsibility for a series of drone attacks targeting the Saudi capital Riyadh on Saturday.

Reacting to the PM’s announcement, which he made en route to the UN General Assembly in New York, Green Party leader Zack Polanski said the UK must not support the “murderous” Saudi regime.

In a post on X, he said: “The language of ‘defensive’ support is a smokescreen: the PM has committed the UK to this conflict.

“Thousands have been killed by the Saudi-led coalition. Weddings hit, markets destroyed. International Humanitarian Law breached. The UK must not back the murderous Saudi regime.

“Expansion of the UK’s longstanding support for Saudi Arabia risks escalating the regional conflict – meaning more bloodshed, and making life less affordable at home as costs soar.

“This Government should be seeking to cut the cost of living, not fuelling wars abroad.”

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.