The United Kingdom has stepped up to meet the challenge of a more dangerous world today, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that defence spending will increase to 2.5% of national GDP in 2027, meeting the expectations of the international community. A rise worth £13.4 billion each year from 2027, rising to 3% in 2030.
This announcement comes ahead of Starmer’s visit to Washington and President Trump this week, where the PM is expected to discuss Ukraine and the role Britain will play in her defence once the US withdraws its support. This increase in spending will mean the UK is ready to fulfil our role in the region, whatever it may turn out to be.
The challenge set by this more dangerous world is not one that can be met by force alone, however. In a more dangerous world, there is greater instability, manifested by humanitarian disasters on every continent of the planet. Whether it is the effects of climate change, or the effects of aggression, people are dying and fleeing in every corner of the globe. At this time, when the UK has recognised these extraordinary times we are living in by bolstering our defences, we have withdrawn our open hand.
Money is tight; I understand that. Some very distasteful decisions have been required in the name of economic stability, and I have been expecting more to come. To pay for the new defence budget, spending on international aid has been cut from 0.5% of GDP to 3%.
I’m of the view that the UK, as a major developed nation with one of the largest economies in the world, has a duty to spend a proportion of its money on helping those in most need overseas. This principle still stands, but more threatened than ever as recognition for its significance dwindles with each Government.
At the centre of this decision stands one man, our new orange overlord, President 47. Both elements, the UK pulling its defensive weight and shirking its altruistic responsibilities, are doubtless designed by Starmer to charm Trump, having reached out early during both the UK and US elections after Trump’s first assassination attempt when both were still candidates.
Starmer will have more flattery in store for Trump when they meet in Washington on Thursday; little else matters to the President than that. Even if you are actively seeking to undermine and replace the western-centric international order and wage war and kill thousands to do it, as long as you say nice things to Trump, he’ll give you a pass.
At least, until some other perceived slight evokes his hatred once more. But for now, more money for guns and less for starving children will please his lardship no end. But for now, Starmer needs to keep the US close as Europe inches to the brink once more, but he’s got a way to go before he fill’s Churchill’s shoes, and Trump will never be one iota the man Roosevelt was.
Trump has already voiced his scepticism for security guarantees, including ones the US is bound to, such as Article V of NATO. He’s not a man Europe can count on to protect it. That is why this money for our defence is important if the UK is required to lend a hand to securing the region; that is also our duty as a major developed nation and one of the world’s largest economies, not to mention one of the more experienced players on the European field over the ages.
I am dismayed there is no other purse to raid to meet this duty in these lean times, and frustrated that my leaders didn’t create some other avenue of funding from the vast amounts of accumulated wealth sitting accruing interest in personal assets and stock portfolios around the country and our overseas territories anticipating a Rachel Reeves Raid, but a socialist can only dream so far in these lean, for many, times.
stay safe
/e