EXCLUSIVE:
Andy Burnham has pledged to rebuild the country’s “hard power” by ensuring that billions of pounds of additional defence spending is focused on the UK rather than given to American or European companies
In his first big foreign policy intervention, the prime minister in waiting said that he wanted to “level with” the public about the amount of money that would be required to meet the UK’s pledge to spend 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2035
Writing in The Times, he said he wanted the investment to go into “regenerating and reindustrialising the country”, supporting British jobs and British workers, instead of relying on equipment bought from other countries
He said Britain needed to reduce its foreign dependency, adding that doing so was “critical for both our economic and national security” and would be a core priority for his premiership
He also pledged to build closer ties with European countries on defence and security, particularly France and Germany, while also committing to going faster in negotiations with the EU more broadly on tackling illegal migration and economic security
“It is right that we rebuild our hard power for a new era that is very different to the one in which much of our current military equipment was first designed
“Crucially, as we do so, I want to ensure we back British workers and businesses. This means we must go much further than ever before through the defence investment plan in backing British resilience, using a sustained increase in defence investment not only to provide the kit our armed forces need, but also to generate economic growth and create apprenticeships and jobs in communities that have seen opportunities drain away.
“We will also focus on reducing foreign dependency, securing inward investment and building new industrial partnerships with allies. Reindustrialisation through defence — and other sectors — is critical for both our economic and national security, building resilience in all our places. It will be a core priority for me.”
https://t.co/c3dWDD9phh
Obviously all of this is an implicit — just about — critique of Starmer’s style of party management but this bit is particularly pointed
For a long time KS was seldom seen in the division lobbies…
Sky News has analysed how voters for Reform, Labour and the Conservatives feel about Nigel Farage's decision to resign as an MP in order to trigger a by-election.
Sky's @robpowellnews looks deeper at the numbers.
🔗 https://t.co/lwV6hBgi3P
Andy Burnham supporter MP Polly Billington and former Conservative cabinet minister David Gauke discuss whether greater public control of the water industry is the answer.
📢Today Debate: Can the next Prime Minister end the cost of living crisis?
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Written for @spectator on how Farage’s opponent now might be turnout. If voters follow parties in boycotting its much harder to claim a renewed mandate. If on the other hand voters still turnout he can at least make the argument they were sending a message to the establishment.
Count Binface has thrown his lid in the ring to compete for the Clacton by-election after Nigel Farage resigned as an MP on Tuesday, before immediately announcing his intention to contest the seat he is vacating in what many have branded a “stunt”.
I don't think anyone funds Count Binface because there is nothing to fund. He doesn't do any campaigning. He just puts a bin on his head and goes to the by-election count.
Deputy leader of the Labour Party Lucy Powell confirms to @cathynewman Labour is expecting to stand in any potential second Clacton by-election, depending on the findings of the investigation into Nigel Farage's finances.
https://t.co/SLOPG6GEsc
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