𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

It was a stinging condemnation delivered with the precision of a drone strike and the impact of an Exocet missile. The torpedo over the lack of spending on our military launched by Labour grandee Lord Robertson hit Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership midships and holed it below the waterline – as Starmer’s blathering baloney at PMQs testified. The embarrassment caused by Roberston’s rebuke was threefold.

Firstly, before his elevation to the Lords George Robertson had served as Defence Secretary and was one of the leading lights in Tony Blair’s Labour government. Secondly, he was deemed suitably knowledgeable in these matters to be given the critical role of Secretary General of NATO, and indeed steered the alliance through the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. And lastly, shortly after Labour came to power he was appointed to chair the crucial Strategic Defence Review (SDR).

And guess who appointed him? That’s right: Sir Keir Starmer! The same man who received the SDR in June last year, promptly announced a “defence investment plan” would be revealed within months but since then has done … NOTHING!

Therefore, when Starmer tries to brush off Robertson’s comments it looks extraordinarily pathetic. One minute this is the man to determine the future of our armed forces for the next decade at least, the next his views are blithely discounted.

As Lord Robertson, someone I have interviewed on a number of occasions, is not a man given to hyperbole, his views are even more damaging.

He could not have been any more candid when he warned: “We are not safe. National security is in peril. We are underprepared, underinsured, under attack.”

Does it get any more damning? Frighteningly, yes – as he also threw in for good measure that there is “corrosive complacency” and “vandalism” from the Treasury over this lack of funding and this is clearly demonstrated by their choice of spending priorities.

For the 2025-26 financial year, spending on welfare – including benefits and pensions – came in at £333billion which, for the first time ever, exceeded total income tax revenue of £331billion.

But with 1,000 new claimants signing on for disability benefits EVERY DAY and 11 million people of working age not in work, that’s hardly surprising.

For context concerning defence spending, that budget is a comparatively small £62million and reports surfaced last week that is to be cut by £3.5billion – virtually the total cost of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ decision to scrap the two-child benefits cap.

What a coincidence! And one that neatly encapsulates the shameful position adopted by this Government. Rather than stare down the rebellious Labour backbenchers who opposed their timid welfare reforms last year, the Government capitulated. Instead of restricting spending on that budget, they’ve managed to get to a place where it will increase by £18billion this year alone.

This was also addressed by Lord Robertson in a speech that stripped bare this Government’s broken promises as he said: “Britain’s welfare budget is now five times the amount we spend on defence… are we certain that this is the right priority – jeopardising people’s future safety and security, while maintaining an increasingly unsustainable welfare bill?”

Regrettably, don’t expect any governmental change of tack as this is a PM who rewards an army of those neither in, nor seeking work, while ignoring the needs of our military, and thereby putting us all at risk.

Any ideas?

Wonder when Sir Only Robbins’ phone will be stolen…

Just a polite suggestion…

Currently, this Government has “consultations” or “reviews” under way on everything from defence spending and trans rights to the price of petrol and the pub trade. Any chance they could actually DO something?

Marmalada turned to accolades for the Paddington The Bear musical at the Olivier Awards – and deservedly so.

This musical is an utter triumph, as was the brilliantly staged awards show, and richly deserved its seven gongs. It also has, as its central theme, why it’s important to “just be kind.”

And with the world in its current state, could there be a more pertinent message?

Surely this has to be respected

While Reform UK’s Robert Jenrick’s proposal to deport the parents of the Southport killer to their native Rwanda is difficult to support, the broader point that they should face some form of criminal charge is more valid.

The inquiry into how Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, were so callously murdered heard the parents, Alphonse Rudakubana and Laetitia Muzayire allowed knives, a machete and other weapons to be delivered to their home.

A week before the tragedy the father intercepted his son getting into a taxi while armed and on his way to his former school – but failed to inform the police.

A lawyer acting for the grieving families has indicated the parents would support any attempt at prosecution. While it will take fresh legislation, surely their wishes should be respected?

A disgraceful new low

Posting an image showing him as Jesus Christ was a new and disgraceful low even for him. He has now gone so far over the line, that line is no longer in sight.

The picture, which I don’t intend to show, was blasphemous and little wonder the Catholic vote that helped propel him to the White House – he won that demography by a 12-point margin in the election – is starting to collapse. He deserves the comeuppance of this unholy row.

Kemi Badenoch’s on to something

When Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch suggested on my breakfast radio show police have their priorities wrong in chasing after motorists who are caught doing 22mph in a 20mph zone, she was right.

Going two, or three miles over the limit at that speed should not attract the full three points penalty. Why not introduce a scheme whereby if the speed clocked is anywhere between 20 and 25mph in those 20mph ones, it is only penalised with one point, which seems a fairer system.