Trump officials urge Keir Starmer to boost UK military strength with ‘urgency’
Trump officials have told Sir Keir Starmer he must strengthen the British military “with urgency, scale and determination”, while the prime minister insisted he will continue fighting despite a major row over defense spending.
Sir Keir’s premiership was thrown into crisis once again when defense secretary John Healey and armed forces minister Al Carns dramatically resigned on Thursday, accusing the prime minister of failing to properly fund the armed forces and keep Britain safe.
Sir Keir hit back by saying defense spending was a priority and that he was taking the “difficult decisions” necessary to keep the country safe.
But the White House piled further pressure on Sir Keir with a dramatic breakthrough that highlighted the White House’s concerns.
Elbridge Colby, US undersecretary of war, wrote of the X: “The United Kingdom has an extraordinarily proud military history. It deserves our respect.
“There is again a great need for more British military forces at this critical time. We call on the UK to meet this need urgently, comprehensively and decisively.”
The resignations, along with those of two deputy ministers, over the long-delayed Defense Investment Plan (DIP) come at a perilous time for Sir Keir, whose premiership has looked increasingly fragile since the election results in May and ahead of a crucial by-election next week.
Speaking after the latest drama on Friday, Sir Keir admitted he needed to “turn things around” to remain prime minister and lead Labor into the next general election.
But he insisted defense spending was a priority, saying he had taken the “tough decisions” necessary to keep the country safe.
He told the BBC: “I don’t think we should throw the country into leadership election chaos.
“I don’t think it should happen, but if it does, I will fight,” he said.
“And let me be clear with you. This is not about personal arrogance, it is not about stubbornness. It comes from a very deep sense of duty.”
Healey, once a key ally of the prime minister, accused Sir Keir of failing to secure sufficient funds from his chancellor to fund the government’s defense investment plan (DIP) in a damning resignation letter.
Military chiefs had called for around £28bn in aid over four years, while officials in Whitehall had requested a figure of around £18bn.
But the Dip promised just £13.5bn, of which only £10bn was extra cash; Defense sources claimed another £3.5bn was “Treasury fraud”, possibly resulting from expected efficiency savings or cuts.
Mr Healey complained that the extra support was also “backlogged” into later years when the need for money was urgent.
Asked about Mr Healey’s criticism, the prime minister said: “We will have another spending review before parliament ends and defense will be the number one priority in that area.”
Downing Street said the Dip was still being finalised. New defense minister Dan Jarvis met with the Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, and Sir Keir for talks on Friday morning.
Mr Healey’s stunning exit piled further pressure on Sir Keir’s already strained position in 10th place after he was nearly ousted following last month’s disastrous local elections.
Andy Burnham is hoping to return to Westminster in next week’s Makerfield by-election and has made no secret of his Labor leadership ambitions; Former health minister Wes Streeting will also take part in any competition.
Asked if he would lead Labor at the next general election, expected in 2029, Sir Keir said: “That’s what I want to do.
“I realize I have to turn things around. We’ve had a very bad election.”
