British Opposition Leader Keir Starmer pledged on Monday to protect the country’s nuclear deterrent, seeking assurances that the country will be safe in the hands of a Labor-led government ahead of the July 4 election.
Describing Labor as the “party of national security”, Starmer will focus his campaign on defence, seen as a weak point in Britain’s main opposition party under his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn, a long-time supporter of nuclear disarmament.
As conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza escalate, security has become a focus ahead of the July 4 election, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak saying only his Conservative Party can keep voters safe in a changing world.
“National security will always come first in the New Labor Party I lead. Keeping our country safe is the bedrock of stability that the British people rightly expect from their government,” Starmer said in a statement.
“My message to them is clear: Labor has changed. It is no longer the party of opposition, it is the party of Labor’s national security.”
Keir Starmer will commit to the so-called “triple lock of nuclear deterrence” – building four new nuclear submarines, maintaining a permanent deterrent at sea and all necessary upgrades to the submarines.
Despite Labor leading in the polls, party officials hope to support thousands of undecided voters who Starmer repeatedly calls a “changed party” that can be trusted to fight on defence, health and immigration.
The Conservatives, in government since 2010, believe they have a strong defense plan, with a commitment to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP per year by 2030 – Labor wants to match it, but “when resources allow”.
