Former Nato secretary general Lord Robertson has urged the next UK prime minister to reassess defence spending, warning that the nation must be "woken up" to the escalating threat of war.
Robertson, who also served as the UK's Labour defence secretary, expressed concern over the delay in the UK government's defence investment plan, calling it "unconvincing" and a source of "confusion" within the Ministry of Defence and "disturbance" in the industry.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently outlined plans to increase military spending by £15 billion over the next four years. However, Robertson suggested this plan may not adequately address the evolving threats. He stated that the challenge of increasing military spending to meet current threats is "bigger, more serious, and earlier than we had anticipated."
Robertson voiced concern about "corrosive complacency" within the country's political leadership and the public regarding defence. "People need to be woken up," he stated, adding that the UK is "under daily attack at the present moment and that will be ramped up."
Sir Keir has previously indicated that a Russian attack on Nato could occur as soon as 2030. The current defence investment plan prioritizes the UK's nuclear deterrent and a shift towards greater use of drones and other unmanned systems. Robertson acknowledged that the UK will possess a capable fighting force but suggested that significant funding may only materialize in response to a crisis.
Robertson emphasized that the UK can no longer consider itself immune to threats. "In this country, we need to get used to the fact we are no longer immune and we are being targeted," he said.
Prime Minister Starmer is expected to face pressure to accelerate defence spending increases at an upcoming Nato summit in Turkey, which will also be attended by US President Donald Trump.