In a bold statement that’s sure to spark debate, Reform UK’s treasurer Nick Candy has declared, 'I still feel safer dining by the beach in Dubai than walking the streets of Sadiq Khan’s London'—and this is despite Dubai recently facing a barrage of Iranian missiles and drones. But here’s where it gets controversial: Candy argues that the United Arab Emirates’ version of the Iron Dome has created a sense of security that London, with its rising crime rates, simply can’t match. Is he right, or is this an unfair comparison? Let’s dive in.
Candy, a prominent political donor and Reform UK’s financial backbone, penned an op-ed in the Daily Mail where he contrasted his experience in Dubai with the perceived dangers of London. He described feeling 'completely safe' while enjoying a seaside dinner, even as the UAE’s military intercepted 94.6% of Iranian drones and 91.5% of ballistic missiles aimed at the country. But is safety just about missile defense, or does it also depend on street-level security?
The UAE’s military response was impressive: out of 541 Iranian drones, 506 were shot down, with the remaining 35 causing minor damage, three fatalities, and 58 injuries. Similarly, 13 out of 165 ballistic missiles evaded interception, landing harmlessly in the sea. Even when a drone struck the US consulate in Dubai, causing a small fire, the incident was quickly contained. Yet, Candy argues that London’s knife crime statistics make it a riskier place—a claim that’s bound to divide opinions.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that no injuries occurred at the consulate, thanks to preemptive personnel reductions. Similarly, an Australian defense base in the UAE was struck, but all troops were accounted for. And this is the part most people miss: despite these attacks, Dubai’s residents maintained a 'confident and calm' atmosphere, something Candy believes London lacks.
Candy didn’t hold back in criticizing British figures like Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey, who labeled expats as 'tax exiles' and 'washed-up old footballers.' Candy called these remarks 'disgraceful,' while Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the government’s duty to protect Britons abroad. Meanwhile, the Foreign Office has been scrambling to evacuate the estimated 300,000 UK nationals in the Middle East, with mixed success.
Flights from Abu Dhabi and Oman have begun arriving at Heathrow, but a British Airways flight from Muscat returned with over 100 empty seats, leaving some Britons stranded. The Foreign Office has registered 125,000 citizens in the region, communicating via SMS and email. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper assured that her office is working tirelessly with airlines and transport providers to maximize evacuation efforts, particularly for vulnerable citizens.
But here’s the bigger question: Does Dubai’s high-tech defense system truly make it safer than London, or is Candy overlooking the complexities of urban crime versus geopolitical threats? And what does this say about the UK’s own security measures? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is a debate that’s far from over.
