Sir Keir Starmer has ignited a political firestorm after announcing a major increase in UK defense spending—just hours before his first official meeting with Donald Trump. In a move that has left senior Labour figures furious, Starmer confirmed he would boost military funding to 2.5% of GDP, offsetting the cost by slashing foreign aid.
The decision, which has been described as a direct response to mounting US pressure, comes as Trump continues to strong-arm NATO allies into shouldering a greater financial burden. Critics say the move signals a dangerous shift in UK policy, with former Foreign Secretary David Miliband branding it a betrayal of the world’s most vulnerable people.
A ‘Generational Moment’ or a Capitulation to Trump?
Addressing the press at Downing Street, Starmer defended the decision, calling it “three years in the making” following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, he acknowledged that recent developments had accelerated the timeline, leading many to speculate that Trump’s influence played a pivotal role.
“The last few weeks have made it clear that this decision, which has been in the pipeline since the Ukraine invasion, needs to be taken now,” Starmer stated. “We must fight for peace through strength.”
Despite his justification, the prime minister’s plan has been met with outrage. Critics argue that cutting the foreign aid budget from 0.5% to 0.3% of national income will have devastating consequences. International charities, including Oxfam and Unicef, condemned the move, with WaterAid calling it a “cruel betrayal” of those most in need.
A Win for Trump’s Foreign Policy?
The spending increase, expected to inject an extra £13.4bn into UK defense annually by 2027, was met with approval from Trump’s defense secretary, Pete Hegseth. The US administration has made no secret of its demand for European nations to become less reliant on American military support, and this latest shift appears to be a significant victory for Trump’s foreign policy agenda.
Former Conservative Defence Secretary Ben Wallace slammed the announcement as a “staggering desertion of leadership,” while Labour MP Sarah Champion warned that diverting aid funds to defense would make the world “less stable, not more secure.”
Labour Faces Internal Backlash
The backlash within Starmer’s own party has been swift and severe. Labour’s former foreign secretary, David Miliband, declared that the cuts would “damage Britain’s global reputation as a humanitarian leader.” Green Party MP Caroline Lucas went further, calling the decision “utterly shameful” and a “sickening betrayal.”
Despite the uproar, Starmer appears committed to his vision of a stronger European defense alliance. He is set to meet with European leaders in London later this week, having already been briefed by French President Emmanuel Macron on his own discussions with Trump.
The Road to 3%?
While the 2.5% spending target is already sparking controversy, Starmer has hinted at even greater increases, setting his sights on reaching 3% of GDP for defense by 2034. But with economists at the Institute for Fiscal Studies warning that such an increase would force either tax hikes or further government cuts, the political and financial fallout from this decision is far from over.
