𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Sir Keir Starmer has been warned that he must face “the possibility of conflict without the full-hearted support of the US” or risk betraying Britain’s “history and future”. Former prime minister Sir John Major urged Sir Keir to ensure the country is “sufficiently equipped to defend itself” amid a “belligerent” global environment with threats from multiple directions. The so-called special relationship between the US and the UK, which once offered profound security benefits to Britain, has come under unprecedented strain in recent months, amid Donald Trump’s increasingly erratic and hostile behaviour towards NATO allies and commitment to an “America first” doctrine.

The US-Israeli conflict in Iran has ruptured ties further, with Sir Keir admitting he was “fed up” with bills rising in the UK because of the actions of Trump in the Middle East and Vladimir Putin in Ukraine. In a letter to The Times, Sir John said: “The argument that ‘we cannot afford [defence spending]’ will be irrelevant if Putin succeeds in Ukraine and then, perhaps, moves on to NATO territory.”

He continued: “If we and our European allies are not prepared to make the necessary sacrifices to protect our people and our sovereign territory, it will be a betrayal of our history and our future.”

His warnings about the growing threats facing Britain amid waning American support were echoed by former defence chiefs and a cross-party group of MPs.

General Lord Dannatt, former head of the British Army, said: “Putin is not just a threat but a proven aggressor. Today, where is the prudent Chamberlain who led the country in its darkest hour? No one of that calibre is at present resident in Downing Street.”

A letter signed by cross-party MPs and peers also expressed “deep concern” at the diminished state of British defence spending, which currently stands at below 3%.

“The gap between the threats the UK faces and the military capabilities we have is wide and growing wider,” it warned.

Responding to the criticism at Prime Minister’s Questions on Monday, Sir Keir said he disagreed with the accusations of “corrosive complacency” on defence spending and insisted that “keeping the British people safe is a duty he takes seriously”.

“Last February, that was seven months after taking office, I took the decision to increase defence spending from 2.3% to 2.6%, paid for by my difficult decision to end overseas aid,” he told MPs.

“Last June, at the NATO summit, I committed to riaisng core defence spending to 3.5%. Last November, the budget committed record funding to defence. I reaffirm those commitments now.

“The strategic defence review is a 10-year blueprint for national security. The defence investment plan will put that into effect. It will be published as soon as possible.”