Kemi Badenoch has launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Andy Burnham, accusing him of "fiddling while Europe is at risk of burning." The Tory leader hit out as Vladimir Putin escalates his ruthless hybrid warfare against Ukraine's Western allies.
Government Accused of Carefree Approach
Badenoch slammed the government for acting as though the UK is living in a "carefree" world and warned the Labour leader to "get serious" on national security. Her broadside comes during mounting European fears over a fresh wave of Russian drone incursions, cyber attacks, propaganda campaigns and dangerous missile threats.
Badenoch vowed that a future Conservative government would boost defence spending to three per cent of GDP by 2030. She insisted the cash would be found by hacking away at the nation's soaring welfare bill, including reforming housing benefit and reintroducing the controversial two-child benefit cap.
Direct Attack on Cabinet
Firing a direct broadside at the cabinet, Badenoch told the Telegraph: "Our government is fiddling while Europe is at risk of burning. In France and Poland, leaders are taking action now against the growing Russian threat."
"What is our government doing? Has anyone heard from Wes Streeting, the former head of the National Union of Students, who has rocked up as Defence Secretary?" She warned that the Prime Minister's unwillingness to slash welfare to shield the nation sent a "dangerous message" - one "heard loud and clear in Moscow as well as Manchester."
She added: "Andy Burnham may be a people pleaser but difficult choices cannot be avoided through dither and delay. We have to fund our defence properly. We have to stop pretending that we are living in a carefree 'end of history' when Russia is testing our resolve week after week. It's time to get serious."
Military Warnings and Grey Zone Conflict
Her remarks follow damning warnings from top ex-military brass who caution Britain's armed forces are currently in a "parlous state." Former military chiefs accused the Prime Minister and Chancellor John Healey of "playing fast and loose with the nation's security" by failing to commit to crucial spending boosts.
Former First Sea Lord Admiral Lord West warned the nation is effectively trapped in a "grey zone" conflict, pointing to mysterious drone incursions and looming threats to vital underwater cables. Whitehall insiders insist ministers are quietly dusting off the government's classified "war book" to prepare the UK for potential conflict as Russian hostility reaches boiling point.
