// LEADERS' VIEWS
SIR KEIR STARMER, PRIME MINISTER, UNITED KINGDOM
Security, sovereignty and stability in a changing world R ussia is a menace in our waters, in our airspace and on our streets. They have launched cyber-attacks
British people must always come first … … Our whole approach to national security must now change … We will translate defence spending into British growth, British jobs, British skills, British innovation; we will … rebuild our industrial base … So before the NATO summit in June, we will publish a single National Security Strategy and we will bring it to this House … … At moments like these in our past, Britain has stood up to be counted. It has come together, and it has demonstrated strength. That is what the security of our country needs now, and it is what this Government will deliver. Oral Statement to the House of Commons, 25 February 2025 Clearly, there will be an economic impact from the decisions the US has taken both here and globally. But … we are prepared. Indeed, one of the great strengths of this nation is our ability to keep a cool head … Nobody wins in a trade war. That is not in our national interest. And we have a fair and balanced trade relationship with the US. Negotiations on an economic prosperity deal, one that strengthens our existing trading relationship – they continue, and we will fight for the best deal for Britain. Nonetheless, … I will only strike a deal if it is in the national interest and if it is the right thing to do for the security of working people … That is my priority. That is always my priority … But nothing is off the table. We have to understand that just as with defence and security, so too for the economy and trade we are living in a changing world … … This government will do everything necessary to defend the UK’s national interest. Everything necessary to provide the foundation of security that working people need to get on with their lives. That is how we have acted – and how we will continue to act. With pragmatism. Cool and calm heads. Focused – on the national interest. Remarks to UK business leaders in Downing Street, 3 April 2025
Fourth, … we must change our national security posture. Because a generational challenge requires a generational response. That will demand some extremely difficult and painful choices … … We will deliver our commitment to spend 2.5% of GDP [gross domestic product] on defence but we will bring it forward so that we reach that level in 2027 … … We will recognise the incredible contribution of our intelligence and security services to the defence of the nation, which means, taken together, we will be spending 2.6% on defence by 2027 … Subject to economic and fiscal
on our NHS [National Health Service] – only seven years ago, a chemical weapons attack on the streets of Salisbury. We must stand by Ukraine – because if we do not achieve a lasting peace, then the economic instability, the threats to our security, they will only grow. And so, as the nature of that conflict changes … it brings our response into sharper focus … First, NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization] is the bedrock of our
security – and will remain so. It has brought peace for 75 years. It is as important today as the day on which it was founded … Second, we must reject any false choice between our allies,
conditions, and aligned with our strategic and operational needs, we will also set a clear ambition for Defence spending to rise to 3% of GDP … … The UK will strengthen its position, as a leader in NATO and in the collective defence of our continent … It is good for our national security. It is also good for the defining mission of this government to restore growth to our economy … … In the short-term, it
between one side of the Atlantic or the other … The US is our most important bilateral alliance … It has survived countless external challenges in the past.
We’ve fought wars together; we’re the closest partners in trade, growth and security … But … strength in this world also depends on a new alliance with Europe. … Our commitment to European defence and security is unwavering. But now is the time to deepen it. So we will find new ways to work together on our collective interests and threats, protecting our borders, bringing our companies together, seeking out new opportunities for growth. Third, … we seek peace not conflict, and we believe in the power of diplomacy to deliver that end … But for peace to endure in Ukraine and beyond, we need deterrence. …
can only be funded through hard choices … … That means we will cut our spending on development assistance, moving from 0.5% of GNI [gross national income] today to 0.3% in 2027 fully funding our increased investment in Defence … I am proud of our pioneering record on overseas development, and we will continue to play a key humanitarian role in Sudan, in Ukraine and in Gaza, tackling climate change, supporting multinational efforts on global health and challenges like vaccination … We will do everything we can to … rebuild our capacity on development. But … the defence and security of the
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