The prime minister has come under fire once again.
Keir Starmer’s defence spending plan was torn apart on GB News (Image: Getty)
Keir Starmer has suffered another major blow as GB News was paused for a breaking alert. The programme was interrupted as it was announced that Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has slammed the prime minister’s defence plan during PMQs, claiming it is a “total dereliction of duty” as well as being £5 billion short. Sir Keir set out the long-delayed £15 billion defence investment plan on Monday (June 30), one week after he announced his resignation as prime minister and leader of the Labour Party.
He will remain in office until the conclusion of the 2026 Labour Party leadership election, which will likely take place in the Autumn. Former Military Officer James Sunderland discussed the update on GB News, believing Sir Keir’s plan is a “serious issue”.
He said: “Defence is the department on which most politicians agree. There’s less friction between the two frontbenches because people agree that defence is the prime role of government. Keeping our people safe is very important.
“The fact this is front and centre of PMQs shows this is a very serious issue. The fact we are going to be at least five billion pounds, at least, short on what is needed is a significant thing.”
When asked about his thoughts on the state of current politics right now, Sunderland remarked: “It’s nonsense in my view. I think the government must fund a defence
He recalled “not having enough equipment to go round” when he served during the Gulf War, adding: “I’ve been through it myself and understand how important it is.”
He went on: “This is about long funding, equipment, capital spending, but it’s also about cash. It’s about now. What’s really important today is that we find the money to fill the capability gaps.
“We need something of everything. We’re operating in five domains now, not three. Not just air, land and sea, it’s also cyber and space. Technology is changing all the time and the lessons of the Ukraine war are quite clear to me.
“We’ve given away most of our land equipment to Ukraine, so we need to rebuild the army very quickly. This is about restoration, but it’s also about transforming our armed forces. There are many reasons why this money is very important.”
Sunderland argued the plan Sir Keir put forward has not set aside enough money, declaring defence needs a £28 billion investment instead of what has been promised.