Kemi Badenoch launched a blistering attack on Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions, targeting the Government's defence investment plan which she said has a £5 billion blackhole in its funding. The Conservative leader accused the Prime Minister of leaving a mess for his successor and questioned the credibility of his defence strategy.
Starmer Isolated as Labour Backbenchers Stay Silent
Sir Keir Starmer appeared isolated at the despatch box, with feeble cheers from Labour backbenchers that highlighted his weakened position. Badenoch, in her first offensive, jibed: 'We all know that he is leaving this mess to his successor. So, can he confirm that the member for Makerfield (Andy Burnham) has agreed to fund the shortfall?'
Starmer sidestepped the attack, responding: 'Because of the decisions at the last Budget, we’ve got headroom of £22 billion. That is precisely so we can take decisions like this.' He added: 'Let’s drop the faux outrage, focus on what matters, the biggest sustained increase (in defence spending) for 45 years, providing what is needed to keep the country safe.'
Badenoch Counts the Numbers
Badenoch then launched her second foray, arguing that since John Healey resigned as Defence Secretary on June 11, the Government had only found money to boost defence spending by 0.01%. 'We can count, the generals can count, the Kremlin can count. His plan does not add up. How can the Prime Minister possibly stand there and say that this is enough?' she taunted.
Starmer fended off the Tory strike, emphasising that the extra cash would take defence spending to £300 billion over the next four years, and stressing that the plan had been welcomed by the military top brass. He also launched a counter-offensive against the Conservatives: 'They cut defence, 2.5% down to 2.3% in their 14 long years. And what did they do on welfare? They put the bill up by £88 billion, so no lectures from them.'
Global Context: Russia Spending 10% of GDP on Defence
Badenoch dismissed the defence plan as a 'total dereliction of duty', noting that Andy Burnham was until recently unaware he was being handed the military blueprint with a £5 billion funding shortfall. She highlighted that Vladimir Putin is spending 10% of Russia’s GDP on defence with his ongoing war in Ukraine.
'The threat level has dramatically changed in the two years that the Prime Minister has been in office. Poland has increased their funding to 4.8%, Germany has increased theirs to 3.7%. This year, Russia will spend 10% of GDP on defence, meanwhile, Britain is spending it all on welfare. Labour's plan is too weak, it is too little, and it is too late,' she said.
Starmer Defends His Record
Starmer replied: 'We built a headroom of £22 billion. The very reason for the headroom is to have the credibility to take decisions outside the Budget and outside the Spending Review. They don’t understand it because they lost control of the public finances.' He added: 'Other countries are looking to us to lead on defence and security. Foundations of a stronger and fairer country. Britain in a better state than we found it, that’s the difference a Labour Government makes.'
Whatever the truth of the matter, it felt like both Badenoch and Starmer were fighting the last war. He is in office but not in power. All eyes are now on whether Andy Burnham will defy Labour MPs and try to cut the welfare bill or shy away from the crunch battle and leave Britain’s public finances shackled and weak.
