Starkey took a close interest in the political situation in the Middle East in her last Parliament, and travelled to both Palestine and Lebanon. Her outspoken opinion on the Israeli incursion into Lebanon in 2006 was firmly at odds with the Labour leadership.The Independent – Comment Pages Phyllis Starkey: I could support Blair on Iraq, but not over this 2 August 2006 (accessed 30 December 2007). In a pop quiz of MPs involved in Middle East issues run by The Sunday Times newspaper in 2007, Starkey was commended along with Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell for getting the highest score, with all but one answer correct.Sunday Times MPs don’t know their Sunnis from Shi’ites 7 January 2007 (accessed 30 December 2007).
