DEFENDING THE NATION

JUST when we thought the Prime Minister had finally woken up to the grave threats facing Britain, it seems Rachel Reeves has slammed on the brakes, writes James Knuckey.

- By Conor Wilson and James Knuckey

President's mixed messages

Sir Keir Starmer gave it the big guns at the Munich Security Conference, saying Europe must “step up” and relinquish its overdependence on the US. This was followed the next day by reports he is considering bringing forward much-needed plans to spend 3% of GDP on defence.However, this shred of positivity was short-lived and pressure is ramping up on Labour to do more.

The Chancellor is believed to have resisted calls from top brass for a multi-billion pound boost, while the Treasury was also reportedly left concerned by suggestions from No10 to go faster on defence.

Downing Street sources are said to have since denied the plans, insisting it was misinterpreted.

A day later, three former Defence Secretaries, retired senior military chiefs and an ex-MI6 boss penned an open letter to Sir Keir, with warnings which should make us all shudder.

They said we are facing a “1936 moment”, with a military “hollowed out by years of chronic underfunding”.