Any Questions? and Any Answers? AQ: Stuart Andrew MP, Annabel Denham, Lilian Greenwood MP, Ash Sarkar
Jan 30, 2026
Annabel Denham, Telegraph columnist and political analyst; Ash Sarkar, writer and broadcaster on culture and radical politics; Stuart Andrew, seasoned Conservative MP and minister; Lilian Greenwood, Labour MP and transport expert. They debate Western response to Iran, Keir Starmer’s China visit, the WASPI pensions controversy, Tory defections to Reform UK, and the future of HS2.
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Unclear US Plan Makes UK Response Hard
- Stuart Andrew says the right response depends on the US plan and stresses learning from past mistakes like Iraq.
- He feels conflicted between standing up for protestors' freedoms and avoiding destabilising interventions.
Use Non-Military Tools First
- Annabelle Denham urges non-military measures like disrupting Iranian communications and listing the IRGC.
- She argues targeted sanctions and designation can be disruptive without frontline deployment.
Engagement Vs. Capitulation On China
- Panelists debate whether engagement with China signals independence or capitulation, with security risks balanced against economic ties.
- Lilian Greenwood argues engagement allows raising difficult issues while protecting UK interests.