Speaking in Scotland, Keir Starmer said it is crucial that the UK is ready for war amid growing threats from Russia – branding it a ‘moment of danger and threat’
Keir Starmer has warned the UK faces a “moment of danger and threat” – and every citizen must play their part on the new “front line”.
Speaking in Glasgow, he said Vladimir Putin’s aggression must not go unchallenged as he unveiled a long-awaited plan to put the country on a war footing. He said this will help turn the country into an “armour-clad nation” amid Russian threats in the sea, air and online.
The Prime Minister said: “We have to recognise that the world has changed… the threat we face is more serious, more imminent, more unpredictable than at any point since the Cold War.”
Mr Starmer said the Government’s Strategic Defence Review – which will be published later today – will focus on “warfighting readiness” – saying Britain must prepare for war if it wants to avoid it. And he ominously stated: “Every part of society, every citizen of this country, has a role to play because we have to recognise that things have changed.
“In the world of today, the front line, if you like, is here.” He said: “First, we are moving to war-fighting readiness as the central purpose of our armed forces.
“When we are being directly threatened by states with advanced military forces, the most effective way to deter them is to be ready, and frankly, to show them that we’re ready to deliver peace through strength.”
The second change is that the Government will adopt a “Nato-first” stance towards defence so that everything it does adds to the strength of the alliance. Sir Keir added: “Third, we will innovate and accelerate innovation at a wartime pace, so we can meet the threats of today and of tomorrow, as the fastest innovator in Nato.”
Earlier the PM told the BBC’s Today Programme: ” Russia has shown in recent weeks that it’s not serious about peace, and we have to be ready.” He said the review will focus on Britain’s readiness for war, stating: “The world has changed and we are entering a new era when it comes to defence and security.
“I think that’s a common feeling across Europe and more broadly there is greater instability on defence and security than there has been for many, many years, and greater threats, and that’s obviously having a direct impact back into the United Kingdom. Hence the review.”
The Prime Minister said he “very much” hopes he will not be forced to send British troops to war in the face of Russian aggression. But he said the UK “cannot ignore” the threat Putin poses.
Earlier defence minister Luke Pollard has said the UK is “certainly not at war at the moment, but it’s also true that we’re certainly not at peace”. He said strong action was needed to prevent conflict, telling BBC Breakfast: I think all your viewers will have seen the appalling scenes from Ukraine over recent years. They’ll be aware that the world is more dangerous. They’ll be aware that to secure our freedom and our economic prosperity, we have to invest in our national security.
“It’s the first duty of any government to keep our country safe, but it’s also the first mission of this Labour Government to grow our economy by investing in defence. We’re creating jobs in every single part of United Kingdom.”
He went on: “I don’t want us to go to war. I want us to deter aggression. That is precisely what the defence review sets out to do today.”
A long-awaited strategic defence review will be published today, with the Government commiting to build 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines and invest £15billion in its warhead programme. Defence Secretary John Healey said last night that Britain “must act decisively to face down Russian aggression”.