China hawks could cause a fresh headache for Labour

It used to be said that parties were Eurosceptic in opposition but Europhile in government. The same might be true of China too. Under Keir Starmer’s leadership, Labour initially adopted a Sinosceptic stance, calling out the Hong Kong crackdown and backing calls to formally recognise China’s treatment of the Uyghurs as genocide. Yet in office, they have abandoned such postures and instead sent various ministers out to East to tout for trade and promises of friendship. How’s that working out eh?

The latest to go cap in hand is Rachel Reeves, in her never-ending quest for growth. But at home, China hawks are not prepared to make life easy for her colleagues. For the House of Lords is currently debating Labour’s flagship bill on Great British Energy. The – rather slim – piece of legislation will shortly go ahead to Report Stage, with Sinosceptics keen to ensure that the UK does not become complicit in the Chinese Communist Party’s abuses in Xinjiang.