Quotes
.jpg)
The nature of warfare has changed significantly. That is clear from the battlefield in Ukraine, and so we must modernise and reform our capabilities as we invest,
Starmer said
Money isn’t the only answer. For example, the Army is currently struggling to recruit private soldiers. Where would any extra soldiers come from?”
He said
We must find courage in our history, courage in who we are as a nation, because courage is what our own era now demands of us
Sir Keir told MPs
In the current fiscal climate it seems churlish to knock any increase
Former Royal Navy commander and aircraft carrier captain Tom Sharpe saidIn the short term, it can only be funded through hard choices, and in this case, that means we will cut our spending on development assistance, moving from 0.5 per cent of GNI (gross national income) today, to 0.3 per cent in 2027, fully funding our increased investment in defence.
Admitting it was not an announcement he wanted to make, Sir Keir told the CommonsThe reason for this is straightforward: Putin's aggression does not stop in Ukraine
In a Downing Street press conference this evening, Sir Keir saidI will be clear, I want this relationship to go from strength to strength,
he told MPs this afternoonWe must change our national security posture, because a generational challenge requires a generational response, that will demand some extremely difficult and painful choices
He addedWe must stand by Ukraine, because if we do not achieve a lasting peace, then the economic instability and threats to our security, they will only grow,
said Starmer, who is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday
Recognising the priority of defence spending in the world that we live in today means that we will have to make difficult choices so that we can spend that money that is needed to keep our country safe.”
Ms Reeves told ITV last week
The message should be simple: we must do what it takes to protect Britain."
She addedAt moments like these in our past, Britain has stood up to be counted [on]. It has come together, and it has demonstrated strength,
Starmer said in an address to Parliament
I’m certainly not pretending it’s a decision I wanted to make as prime minister,
Starmer said in responseHelping communities be stable and secure reduces the risk of war and unrest,
she argued in the House of Commons following the prime minister’s announcementIt has survived countless external challenges in the past. We’ve fought wars together, we’re the closest partners in trade, growth and security,
he addedAll of us on this side of the house welcome that.”
Sunak’s successor, Kemi Badenoch, backed his accelerated plan, telling Starmer
A generational challenge requires a generational response,
Starmer told the House of Commons, where the plans were widely welcomed by opposition leadersSo this week when I meet President Trump I will be clear: I want this relationship to go from strength to strength. But strength in this world also depends on a new alliance with Europe... our commitment to European defence and security is unwavering, but now is the time to deepen it,
said Starmer
We will deliver our commitment to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence but we will bring it forward so that we reach that level in 2027, and we will maintain that for the rest of this Parliament. Let me spell that out, that means spending GBP 13.4 billion more on defence every year from 2027,
he saidWe must go further still. I have long argued that … all European allies must step up and do more for our own defence,
Starmer added