Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has declared he would resign from his post if the Labour party fails to increase military spending, aligning himself with his predecessor's stance on the issue. Streeting stated his departure would be a "matter of principle" if the commitment to bolstering defence funding is not met.
The vow comes as the Prime Minister declined to provide a specific timeline for increasing defence spending to meet the target of 3% of GDP by 2030. This reticence was highlighted during a recent interview where the Prime Minister avoided detailing a schedule for this fiscal goal.
Streeting expressed that he would not have accepted the Defence Secretary role without assurance of increased funding. He indicated confidence that the Chancellor would prioritize defence investments, stating "I am in no doubt" about this commitment. However, a source suggested Streeting's reference to principle pertained to the broader concept of defence funding rather than a precise figure or deadline.
Streeting also criticized former Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, alleging they risked the nation's security by not clarifying how the defence spending goal would be achieved. This sentiment follows warnings from the head of BAE Systems, Europe's largest defence contractor, who described the current geopolitical climate as the "most threatening time I've seen."
Former Chancellor John Healey resigned from his previous role citing the Treasury's "unwillingness" and Sir Keir's "inability" to allocate the necessary resources for national defence amid escalating global threats. Healey suggested that his new position as Chancellor might allow him to secure additional billions for defence, emphasizing that safeguarding citizens is a government's primary duty.
Last month, Sir Keir announced a £15 billion increase in UK defence spending, but Treasury documents revealed that £4.7 billion of this amount remains unfunded and requires allocation in the upcoming Budget. Even with this increase, Britain's defence budget is projected to reach only 2.7% of GDP by 2029, falling short of the £28 billion deemed necessary by defence officials.
Streeting also addressed international relations, stating that Europe should acknowledge former President Donald Trump for prompting a re-evaluation of reliance on the U.S. for defence. Regarding potential disagreements with Trump, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, he remarked that while he does not know Trump personally, he trusts the United States. He added that his administration would prioritize UK interests, even if it meant public disagreement with the U.S. President.
In parallel, the UK is set to share technology for an electronic warfare system with Ukraine. Streeting is reportedly working to improve relations with the U.S. by focusing on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, assuring his U.S. counterpart that the UK would not support offensive actions in Iran but would work to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.