Keir Starmer is being blasted by both Labour MPs and five former Defence Secretaries after rumours emerged of a planned delay to achieving 3% of GDP for defence.
The PM is now being warned he risks a major spat with Donald Trump just days into his presidency over the delayed spending hike.
This week it emerged that the Government’s major defence spending review may suggest delaying the 3% of GDP on defence target until after the current deadline of 2030.
However this would not only risk endangering Britain, but set the government on a major collision course with President Trump.
The new US Commander in Chief recently called on NATO members to start spending 5% of GDP on defence, and pay their own fair share.
Keir Starmer has so far only committed to spending 2.5%, but even this is without a timeline.
Labour MPs are now turning on the delay rumours, with key ally Luke Akehurst saying Britain’s forces must be “adequately funded”.
He said: “There are many Labour MPs who understand the urgent priority to ensure our armed forces are re-equipped, larger and adequately funded”.
“It is welcome that the government has a target of spending 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence. But the scale of the threats the UK faces means 2.5 per cent needs to be the start of the conversation.”
Liverpool MP Dan Carden added that Britain must build “strong alliances” and “maintain and build our autonomy.”
“To maintain a good relationship with the US, we will have to spend more on defence.”
The Labour chairman of the Defence Select Committee, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, also pointed it out is significantly cheaper to preemptively spend money on a larger armed forces in order to deter a war than have to fight one down the line.
The Labour voices join those of five former defence secretaries who yesterday told The Sun that the planned spending hike is “reckless”.
Sir Ben Wallace, one of the most respected figures from the previous government, accused Labour of being “dangerous” and warned he is set to “preside over Britain tumbling down the ladder of military of leadership in NATO.”
Grant Shapps, who secured the 2.5% commitment, said any delay would be “downright reckless”.
He added: “This decision is a green light to adversaries and a slap in the face to our armed forces.”
Penny Mordaunt insisted the UK must stay aligned with the Donald Trump “on all fronts”, including on “defence, trade and regulation”.
“”The default setting of the Starmer government is to pivot away from the US. All things are possible if there’s the political will to do it.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has also warned the delay decision is setting Sir Keir up on a “collision course” with President Trump.
