Kemi Badenoch is set to deliver a blistering attack on Andy Burnham on Tuesday morning, accusing the incoming Prime Minister of having no credible plan to defend Britain. In a speech billed as a defence rally, the Tory leader will warn that Vladimir Putin “won’t be worried” about where No10 is located — whether in Manchester or London — but only about the UK’s response to a potential attack.
Badenoch: Putin Unfazed by Burnham’s Leadership
Mrs Badenoch will argue that global conflicts and rising geopolitical uncertainty mean the UK “could not be facing a more serious situation.” She is expected to say that Andy Burnham’s approach to national security is dangerously vague, leaving the country exposed at a time when threats are escalating.
The Conservative leader will also take aim at Sir Keir Starmer’s £15 billion Defence Investment Plan, branding it “not fit for purpose.” Her comments come as Sir Keir travels to Ankara, Turkey, for the Nato summit — his last major international engagement as Prime Minister before handing over to Burnham.
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Sir Keir’s departure for Turkey underscores the transition underway, but Badenoch’s intervention is designed to frame the coming change in leadership as a risk to national security. She will highlight a £5 billion blackhole in defence spending, accusing Labour of failing to address the funding gap.
“The Russian tyrant doesn’t care whether No10 is in Manchester or London — just what our response is if he launches an attack,” a source close to Badenoch said. “Andy Burnham has no plan, and that’s a danger to every British citizen.”
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