logo
Starmer couldn't be clearer: Britain must prepare for war

Starmer couldn't be clearer: Britain must prepare for war

Sky News02-06-2025
Clement Attlee was the Labour prime minister credited with creating the welfare state.
On Monday, at a shipbuilding yard in Glasgow, Sir Keir Starmer presented himself as a Labour prime minister who wants to be credited with turning the UK into a warfare-ready state, as he spoke of the need for the UK to be prepared for the possibility of war at the launch of his government's Strategic Defence Review.
The rhetoric couldn't be clearer: Britain is on a wartime footing.
The UK's armed forces must move to "war-fighting readiness" over the coming years, the UK faces a "more serious and immediate" threat than anytime since the Cold War, and "every citizen must play their part".
The prime minister promised to fulfil the recommendations of the 10-year strategic defence plan, which will be published in full on Monday afternoon.
But what he refused to do was explain when he would deliver on spending 3% of GDP on defence - the commitment necessary to deliver the recommendations in the Strategic Defence Review.
8:36
PM is sticking plasters over wounds
His refusal to do so blunts his argument. On the one hand, the prime minister insists there is no greater necessity than protecting citizens, while on the other hand, he says his ability to deliver 3% of spending on defence is "subject to economic and fiscal conditions".
This is a prime minister who promised an end to "sticking plaster politics", who promised to take difficult decisions in the interest of the country.
One of those difficult decisions could well be deciding, if necessary, to cut other budgets in order to find the 3% needed for defence spending.
Instead, the prime minister is sticking plasters over wounds.
After voters lashed out at Labour in the local elections, the Starmer government announced it was going to look again at the cut to pensioners' winter fuel allowance.
There is an expectation, too, that Sir Keir is planning to lift the two-child cap on benefits. Refusing to lift the cap was one of his hard choices going into the election, but now he is looking soft on it.
2:15
What choices is Starmer prepared to make?
That's why I asked him on Monday what the choices are that he's going to make as prime minister. Is his choice properly-funded defence, or is it to reverse winter fuel cuts, or lift the two-child benefit cap?
If he needs to be the prime minister creating the warfare state, can he also deliver what voters and his own MPs want when it comes to the welfare state?
To hit the 3% target, Sir Keir would have to find an extra £13bn. That's difficult to find, and especially difficult when the government is reversing on difficult decisions its made on cuts.
For now, the prime minister doesn't want to answer the question about the choices he's perhaps going to make. But if he is really clear-eyed about the security threat and what is required for the UK to become ready for war, it is question he is going to have to answer.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Epping asylum seekers afraid to exit hotel during protests
Epping asylum seekers afraid to exit hotel during protests

BBC News

time30 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Epping asylum seekers afraid to exit hotel during protests

Asylum seekers living at a hotel focused on by protesters have been left too scared to go outside, a charity boss groups have clashed outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, during several demonstrations since 13 Smith, the chief executive of Refugee charity Care4Calais, claimed at least one of the migrants had been chased by protesters while out for a officers have made 18 arrests and charged ten people in connection with disorder outside the hotel on High Road. Tensions heightened on 17 July, when missiles were thrown and constables were hurt during clashes. Mr Smith, whose staff have been supporting the asylum seekers, said the alleged violence left many "too worried" to go outside."It's a pretty depressing situation to find yourself in, when you've already been through significant terrors elsewhere in the world," he said."Some of the residents have told us how they've been chased by the far-right when they simply went out for a walk or to buy milk."It reminded them of the reasons why they've been forced to leave their home countries in the first place," he added. The charity boss said an 80-year-old worker had a brick thrown at him during an episode of disorder outside the seekers have been housed there since 2020, it is on Thursday evening, Epping Forest District Council voted to urge the government to close the hotel, which the BBC understands is housing about 140 venue has been thrust into the national spotlight after a man living there was charged with sexual assault, harassment and inciting a girl to engage in sexual Kebatu, 41, from Ethiopia, has denied the offences and remains on remand in custody. During the council meeting, Janet Whitehouse, a Liberal Democrat councillor, said: "I agree that The Bell Hotel needs to be closed but we don't know the circumstances of the individuals who have been placed there. "Sadly there are many places in the world where there is conflict and people have to flee."Chris Whitbread, the Conservative leader of the authority, suggested there were "not the facilities here to support them" in Epping. 'Real world consequences' Ben-Julian Harrington, the chief constable of Essex Police, urged people to not spread misinformation online about the to reporters on Wednesday, he said malicious rumours were having "real world consequences", but stressed most protesters had been Solomon, the chief executive of Refugee Council, added on Friday: "Rhetoric that dehumanises people who've come to Britain seeking sanctuary creates a climate where violence can flourish."He accused a "violent majority" of hijacking concerns about asylum hotels, stating their use had become "flashpoints". People living in Epping who have been protesting against the use of the hotel as migrant accommodation have told the BBC they felt less safe in the town since it was used for asylum told BBC Essex: "I walk up and down the High Street all the time. I've lived in Epping all my life, I've never seen anything like this and I talk to people all the time, so I know that the concerns they have are real."Police received 2,000 fewer reports of crime in the Epping district in the year to the end of June, compared with the 12 months to June total, 9,049 offences were reported over the most recent period.A Home Office spokesman said it was working to close asylum hotels and "restore order". Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Luton couple with white peacock in garden desperate to find owner
Luton couple with white peacock in garden desperate to find owner

BBC News

time30 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Luton couple with white peacock in garden desperate to find owner

A married couple said they were desperate to find the owner of a white peacock which has taken up residence in their 83, and Bernie Deamer, 81, from Cockernhoe, Hertfordshire, said when it arrived last month, they went online to try and find its owner but got no both said it was a beautiful and friendly bird, which they named "Snowy" as it is completely said police told them that it was possible it had been stolen and then dumped. Mrs Deamer said when Snowy "landed" at their home near Luton, it jumped next door, but when they started putting out food for the pheasant, it came back."He was very, very loud when he first arrived – it was like a strong screech," she said."He just eats the clover and the pheasants' food, and he has never gone for a flower."The couple phoned nearby Hatfield House and Luton Hoo to ask if they owned the bird. They also contacted the RSPCA, but Ms Deamer said it was "not interested as it is not hurt".The RSPB said: "Whilst they can be seen in the wild in India, a lot of white peacocks are bred to be white to be used at events/weddings etc for their colouration."Ms Deamer said the bird is not ringed and they "cannot give it away as it is not our bird".She wanted someone to come and get it, but at the same time, admitted she would miss it if someone did claim it. Mr Deamer said the bird must belong to someone and added: "It could be microchipped, but you need to get close to him to check."He wanders about, and then he disappears. It is a stunning bird"Mrs Deamer said: "The fascinating thing is, at night, it goes about 60 feet up a tree and then comes down the next morning and straight into the garden."She is worried the peacock "won't survive in the winter as it is too open and we have foxes and it will be horrific". Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Cambridge council tenant passed 'from pillar to post' over leak
Cambridge council tenant passed 'from pillar to post' over leak

BBC News

time30 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Cambridge council tenant passed 'from pillar to post' over leak

A council tenant said she had been passed from "pillar to post" trying to get a leak fixed in her home. Lisa Stocker said it took six months to get it repaired, despite regularly reporting the issue to Cambridge City half of council homes in Cambridge do not have up-to date surveys on their conditions and carrying them out could cost up to £500,000, say recent reports. The city council said surveys had not been "consistently prioritised" due to a range of factors, but it hoped to clear the backlog within a year. A report at a council cabinet meeting said inspections were needed at about 3,000 of the city's 7,600 council homes. The homes should be surveyed every five years so the authority can plan investment, prioritise repairs, or identify issues such as damp and the leak, Ms Stocker said she had "bad" damp and mould, forcing her to throw away said: "You get passed from pillar to post, just putting it mildly; they don't know who is doing what."They send a surveyor out; he goes round, has a look and that's the last you see of them."Ms Stocker said the issue had sent her stress and anxiety "through the roof", and questioned if she had to wait until the ceiling fell down for a repair. Cheney Payne, a Liberal Democrat city councillor, said it was one in a "sequence of examples of Labour's complete neglect for their council houses"."The council has a duty to act at as well as a private landlord, but for me as a city council it has a moral obligation," she said."These are some of the most vulnerable people in the city who are paying rent for their council home, so they deserve to know they can go back home to a home that is safe and well."Gerri Bird, Labour cabinet member for housing, said the authority had lost two years due to that, she said, people were cautious to let anyone into their the backlog of homes are surveyed, the council intends to check homes every five years."We hope tenants will let us know if they have problems," she added."We are doing our utmost to make sure they have a decent home and that's something I really want and push for because I am in social housing myself, so I understand how tenants feel if they have a problem and it is not done in time." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store