Streeting vows to quit unless Labour delivers defence spending boost

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has dramatically declared he will resign if the government fails to deliver a major increase in military spending, piling fresh pressure on Prime Minister Andy Burnham ahead of this year's Budget.

Streeting said boosting defence funding was "a matter of principle" and insisted he would walk away from the Cabinet if Labour failed to honour its commitment to strengthen Britain's armed forces.

'I'll resign on principle'

Speaking after taking over the Defence brief, Streeting was asked whether failing to increase defence spending would become a resignation issue for him.

His answer was unequivocal.

"Absolutely," he said, adding that he would leave the post "as a matter of principle."

Streeting succeeds John Healey, who quit as Defence Secretary after becoming frustrated by Sir Keir Starmer's refusal to commit to raising defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP by 2030.

Although a government source later suggested Streeting was referring to the broader principle of adequately funding defence rather than a specific target or deadline, his comments underline growing tensions within Labour over military spending.

Burnham avoids spending pledge

Prime Minister Andy Burnham declined to guarantee Britain would reach the 3 per cent target by 2030 during a television interview.

Instead, he said the immediate priority was ensuring the government's Defence Investment Plan was fully funded before this autumn's Budget.

Burnham acknowledged the concerns that prompted Healey's resignation but stopped short of making any firm financial commitment.

Last week he also pledged to honour Britain's NATO obligations after alliance members agreed to increase long-term defence spending following pressure from US President Donald Trump.

Warning over growing global threats

Streeting said he only accepted the Defence portfolio after receiving assurances Burnham was committed to strengthening the armed forces.

He also criticised the previous Labour leadership for failing to set out a credible path towards higher defence spending, warning that Britain's security could not be taken for granted at a time of rising international tensions.

His intervention follows warnings from BAE Systems, Europe's largest defence contractor, that Britain faces the most dangerous security environment in decades.

Praise for Trump on NATO spending

Streeting credited President Trump with forcing European governments to confront years of underinvestment in defence.

He said Europe should be grateful the US president had "shaken Europe out of our complacency" over relying too heavily on American military protection.

However, asked whether he trusted Trump personally, Streeting replied: "I don't know him, but I do trust the United States."

Burnham struck a similar tone, saying Britain would always put its own national interests first, even if that meant publicly disagreeing with the American president.

Ukraine visit and military support

Burnham is expected to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today in the first visit to Downing Street by a foreign leader since the new Prime Minister took office.

The pair are due to visit a naval base where Britain is expected to announce further support for Ukraine, including sharing electronic warfare technology.

Burnham reiterated Britain's backing for Kyiv, saying the government would continue supporting Ukraine until a "long-lasting and just peace" is achieved.

Budget battle looms

The row comes as ministers prepare for a difficult Budget in which billions of pounds must still be found to finance previously announced defence commitments.

Although Labour has pledged an additional £15 billion for the armed forces, Treasury figures indicate almost $6.3 billion (£4.7 billion) of that funding has yet to be identified.

Even if all the money is secured, defence spending would reach only around 2.7 per cent of GDP by 2029—still below the 3 per cent target many military leaders argue is essential to meet growing threats from Russia, China and an increasingly unstable global security environment.

SOURCE

Stop sending billions to the Ukraine and you might have some money to spend on the UK.