Chancellor Rachel Reeves has condemned Donald Trump’s decision to launch war against Iran, describing it as “folly” and saying she is “frustrated and angry” about the effect on UK firms and families. She said the United States had gone into war without a clear exit plan, raising concerns about the wider consequences of the conflict.
The comments came during live UK politics coverage on 14 April 2026, with attention also turning to the impact of the crisis on the British economy and the government’s response to the situation.
Reeves raises concerns about consequences for the UK
Reeves’ remarks reflected concern that the war could place additional pressure on households and businesses in Britain. Her criticism centred on the absence of a clear plan for how the conflict would end, which she suggested had created uncertainty both internationally and at home.
The chancellor’s intervention added to the political reaction to the fast-moving international crisis, as ministers and opposition figures weighed the risks of escalation and the knock-on effects for the UK.
Davey questions Nigel Farage’s investment activity
In the same coverage, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey was asked why he was calling for an inquiry into Nigel Farage’s investment in a bitcoin firm. Davey said Farage, the Reform UK leader, appeared to be copying Donald Trump by investing in crypto.
Davey argued that MPs should be banned from promoting financial services or products. He said Farage was “now promoting this business” and raised the question of whether he was persuading people to put money into a risky venture.
From that example, Davey said, he had drawn the conclusion that the rules for MPs needed to change. He said MPs should not be allowed to promote specific financial services or products in the way he said Farage was doing.
Calls for stronger national focus on defence
Davey also used the moment to argue that the country needed to come together in response to the broader security situation. He pointed to war on the continent for the first time for a long time and to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a wake-up call.
He said the government had not moved as quickly as it should have given those circumstances. His comments reflected growing debate over defence priorities and the pace of policy change as ministers face pressure to respond to new security threats.
The live politics discussion placed international conflict, regulation of MPs’ commercial activities, and defence preparedness side by side, highlighting the range of issues shaping Westminster on the day.
