Slams Keir Starmer Over Delayed Defence Spending Plan, Calls it ‘A National Scandal’
Kemi Badenoch has lashed out at Sir Keir Starmer, accusing the Labour leader of being “all mouth and no trousers” after Labour delayed the publication of its long-awaited defence investment plan. Badenoch, the Tory leader, called the delay a “national scandal” and urged Starmer to publish the plan next week.
The defence investment plan, which was promised to be published last year, has faced repeated delays. Labour ministers had previously assured the public that the plan would be ready by late 2025, but now, several months later, they have failed to set a timeline, amid reports of an ongoing dispute between the Ministry of Defence and the Treasury.
In a fiery response, Badenoch said: “Keir Starmer talks about wanting to spend 3 per cent of GDP on defence. Last year his government published a Strategic Defence Review explaining why we need it. But here we are, nine months later, and we still haven’t seen the accompanying defence investment plan. It was promised last autumn, and now it’s April. This is a national scandal.”
The Conservative leader went on to criticise Labour’s handling of the defence budget, stating that the government had “no idea” how to fund the plan. To address the funding gap, the Conservatives proposed reinstating the two-child benefit cap and reallocating £17 billion from Energy Secretary Ed Miliband’s “vanity” green projects to fund defence.
Labour’s defence strategy, as outlined by Starmer, includes a pledge to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on core defence by 2027. This also includes plans to meet NATO’s 5 per cent spending target by 2035, with 3.5 per cent allocated to core defence and 1.5 per cent for security infrastructure projects.
However, Badenoch warned that rearming Britain should not wait until after the next general election. She insisted that if a joint defence plan could be agreed upon, the Conservatives would “put party interests aside” and support defence funding.
Responding to Badenoch’s comments, Defence Minister Luke Pollard hit back, accusing the Tories of “hollowing out” the armed forces during their time in government. He said: “If Badenoch were prime minister, Britain would be at war in Iran without a plan — she is completely out of her depth.”
Pollard also demanded an apology from Badenoch, blaming the Conservative government for the current state of defence spending and the lack of preparedness.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer is currently in Saudi Arabia, where he visited the Taif Airbase to help reinforce the fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran. He also met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to bolster confidence in shipping passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The ongoing tension surrounding the UK’s defence spending comes as a group of retired military leaders and security advisers recently warned that the country faces a “1936 moment,” urging the Prime Minister to double core defence spending.
