Starmer needs to demonstrate his pledges on military spending are more than just empty words
Time is running out for the Prime Minister to demonstrate he has taken defence concerns fully on board
The boarding of a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker by Royal Marine Commandos, with the support of the RAF, in the English Channel yesterday demonstrates the vital importance of our armed forces.
Russian activity in British waters and airspace has been increasing in recent years, and Labour MP Graeme Downie is right to point out that Scotland is in the “frontline” when it comes to tensions with Moscow.
RAF Lossiemouth is of key strategic importance for policing the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap.
And grave concerns over UK government spending on the military will not have gone unnoticed in the Kremlin.
The resignations of John Healey and Al Carns as defence secretary and armed forces minister last week piled further pressure on the already embattled Prime Minister.
Sir Keir Starmer has a fight on his hands to convince not only the public but also his own party that his government is not guilty of neglecting national security.
According to culture secretary Lisa Nandy, discussions are continuing to take place with ministers on cuts to their departments’ budgets to help fund defence.
The long-awaited publication of the government’s Defence Investment Plan is clearly a matter of urgency, to reassure the public and the armed forces that the government is serious about strengthening our defences.
It should also send the right message to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
But there is also a political urgency for Sir Keir in demonstrating he has taken fully on board the warnings issued by Mr Healey and Mr Carns.
This week’s Makerfield by-election could see Andy Burnham return to the House of Commons as a Labour MP, paving the way for a potential leadership bid by the former mayor of Manchester.
Mr Burnham has already staked out his position on the issue, saying he would not be “squeamish” about reducing the welfare bill to fund defence spending. Sir Keir may soon need to convince his own party his promises to protect the armed forces are more than just empty words.
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