GB News was halted as Keir Starmer appeared on the programme (Image: GB News)
was halted for “breaking news” as appeared on the show to address the country’s relationship with the United States. Speaking live from Cammell Laird, the prime minister was probed about whether the UK can rely on the US and if he will be open with the British public about defence spending.
The Labour leader responded: “We’ve enjoyed 80 years of peace and we’ve enjoyed 80 years of peace because we’ve had such a close relationship with the United States. We are closer than any other country to the United States when it comes to our defence, security and intelligence sharing and we’ve worked with our European partners within NATO which is the most important alliance the world has ever seen.”
…
Sir Keir refused to side with the US or Europe (Image: Getty)
He continued: “We’ve never made that choice between siding with the US or with Europe. Historically we’ve never done that. Churchill didn’t do it, Attlee didn’t do it and it’s certainly not the right thing to do now when things are extremely volatile. So we have to bear in mind what has kept the peace for the last 80 years.
“I’m not pretending any of this is easy but we need to keep our eyes on what it is we’re trying to achieve and that is lasting peace in with a deal, if there is a deal, that is then defended because we know from history that Putin will breach deals. He’s done it in the past so it’s got to be properly defended.”
In terms of defence spending, the GB News interviewer suggested some “very painful” choices will have to be made. The politician responded by explaining how he has set out the biggest increase in defence suspending since the Cold War.
“2.5% of GDP by 2027, so a short window and then sustained spending at that level. Then the ambition to get to 3% at the next parliament,” he said.
Don’t miss…
The prime minister insisted we now need to make sure “that is translated, not only into the capability we need on the front line but also into the secure jobs in our economy”.
Viewers didn’t agree with Sir Keir’s comments as they claimed he should be more focused on “defending our borders”.
One wrote: “Be nice if he could defend our borders, heading for a record number of ‘we’ve not got a clue’ arrives via boats this summer. More interested in Europe than his own country. But we knew that before didn’t we.”
Another declared: “He should spend more defending our borders!”
A third fumed: “Oh so all of a sudden spending on defence is going to save the economy ???? What utter utter BS. The man doesn’t give a single original thought in his head.”
A fourth furious viewer added: “Starmer wishes to borrow 3% of our GDP from the globalist banks to defend and fight the globalists war against . F the pensioners.”