Your current location:HOME >politics >Labour must match the Tories on defence spending, former Army chief warns Keir Starmer 正文
TIME:2024-04-26 22:21:04 Source: Internet compilationEdit:politics
Labour will be 'pilloried' if they refuse to match Rishi Sunak's pledge to boost defence spending, a
Labour will be 'pilloried' if they refuse to match Rishi Sunak's pledge to boost defence spending, a former Army chief warned yesterday.
Lord Dannatt said Sir Keir Starmer had 'no option' but to follow the Prime Minister's pledge to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by the end of the decade.
The former Chief of the General Staff also warned that failure to increase investment in defence would risk the United States walking away from Nato.
The White House yesterday welcomed Mr Sunak's decision to boost defence spending by £75billion by 2030, describing Britain as a 'stalwart ally'.
The Labour leader agreed that more money was needed for defence, but said he would only set out a plan for boosting it if his party wins the next election.
Lord Dannatt said Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) had 'no option' but to follow the Prime Minister's pledge to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by the end of the decade
The former Chief of the General Staff Lord Dannatt (pictured) also warned that failure to increase investment in defence would risk the United States walking away from Nato
The Union Flag is displayed as British troops mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War in 2014
In an interview with the BBC, Sir Keir claimed that the Government's plan to fund much of the extra spending by cutting 72,000 civil service jobs 'doesn't stack up'.
Lord Dannatt urged Labour to back the Government's plan now to provide certainty for the sector and ensure the country is kept safe.
The Crossbench peer told GB News: 'We're telling our adversaries, particularly the Russians, don't kick us around, we're serious about this.
'But we're also saying to our allies, Britain's showing leadership here.'
Captain Tom's scandal2024-04-26 21:58
Huawei opens 2nd store in Saudi Arabia2024-04-26 21:37
Iran hails China's important role in Tehran2024-04-26 21:33
UN: Sudan conflict claims thousands of civilian lives, displaces millions in one year2024-04-26 21:33
Naomi Watts, 55, proves she's in the best shape of her life as she flexes her eye2024-04-26 20:53
Retired general Pavel wins Czech presidential election2024-04-26 20:13
Juvenile murder case in North China shines spotlight on school bullying2024-04-26 20:04
Nation hailed for brokering Saudi2024-04-26 20:02
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, fails in bid to play in US Open2024-04-26 19:46
Convention on the Law of the Sea more relevant than ever: UN chief2024-04-26 19:35
Broncos select former Oregon QB Bo Nix with the 12th pick in the NFL draft2024-04-26 22:09
China's gross marine product exceeds 9 trillion yuan in 20232024-04-26 22:02
Young giant panda Qing Ci dies from rare intestinal disorder2024-04-26 21:47
Feature: Race against time to find survivors at epicenter of Türkiye's massive earthquakes2024-04-26 21:15
Intangible cultural heritage exhibition held in Xinjiang2024-04-26 21:14
Roundup: Establishment of diplomatic ties with China applauded across Honduras2024-04-26 20:50
Xinhua Headlines: Key Takeaways from Xi's Diplomacy in 20232024-04-26 20:35
Nation hailed for brokering Saudi2024-04-26 20:27
Body believed to be that of trucker who went missing in November found in Iowa farm field2024-04-26 20:22
Young giant panda Qing Ci dies from rare intestinal disorder2024-04-26 19:40