Sir Keir Starmer has baffled social media users with a Top Gun-style TikTok video featuring him on aircraft carriers, submarines, and in slow-motion shots, just a month after being warned of a major funding shortfall in the armed forces.
The heavily edited video, posted to the Prime Minister's official account, opens with Starmer adjusting his glasses over a UK rap song before transforming into an action figure. He strolls around an aircraft carrier, surveys a submarine, watches a jet take off, rides in a helicopter, and speaks to service personnel. Moody shots include him staring into the distance, peering through binoculars, and striding off a helicopter in slow motion.
Viewers struggled to understand the message, especially given the caption: 'How life feels after I eat 2 and a half digestives'. Critics questioned the use of taxpayer money for the production, with one asking, 'Is this where OUR taxes go?' Others noted the irony of Starmer promoting TikTok while considering banning it for under-16s.
The video made no reference to the financial challenges facing the military. Last month, the chief of defence staff reportedly warned Starmer of a £28 billion shortfall by 2030, raising the prospect of deep cuts. Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Defence Secretary John Healey were informed of the grim assessment over Christmas.
Starmer only joined TikTok last month, ahead of a visit to China. The app has been barred from government devices since 2023 over security concerns, but politicians are not prohibited from having accounts.
