Opportunities, perils and pitfalls: how UK parties have responded to war in Iran

Starmer's purely defensive' stance has won support among voters, but what challenges lie ahead for each party when it comes to their base's view of war?

Facing one of the most challenging moments of his premiership, Keir Starmer may at least draw comfort from polling showing that the British public broadly support his position on the conflict in Iran.

Nearly half (46%) believe the UK military position should be purely defensive, tasked with shooting down drones and defending civilian areas and British military facilities such as an RAF base on Cyprus.