It's complex though...
It is.
We, the UK, import oil from OPEC countries such as Quatar and Saudi Arabia.
https://www.caat.org.uk/resources/countries/saudi-arabia/arabian-connectionWe have to pay for it somehow, and unfortunately wampum is no longer a recognised currency.
So, we can pay for it in hard currency, which means our balance of payments is affected, or, we supply shiny things of similar value in exchange that they may like and feel they need.
If we pay them hard currency, we have to generate that currency somehow by exporting to other countries things they want and like and that they are willing to give us their hard currency that has an intrinsic tradeable value.
Now what exactly is it we make and export and has value to these countries, stuff they can't make for themselves or buy from other countries?
So we likely have little choice.
While we can certainly put export bans on certain stuff and seek assurances that other things aren't employed against civilians, as we do, we are in not only a difficult moral position, but also in a difficult financial postion.
Don't trade, no oil.
No oil, no industry or energy.
It's a bummer, but it is a dilemma that has to be recognised and not simply brushed aside and ignored in seeking a superior moral position.
Are people really willing to put up with 20% or perhaps more overnight increase in electricity/gas/petrol etc bills simply to ensure the Saudi's don't get their gadgets they want to buy from us in exchange for their oil?
I'm not suggesting I agree with supplying them with arms, but simply as with so much of what is swirling around at the moment, it really needs some serious thought as to the consequences and also evidence of contingency plans and joined up writing for the future of the UK economy.
If not, all promises of NHS funding and all the other stuff we want may well become just dust in the wind.
