Labour's 'cast iron' guarantee for generational support of military and nuclear deterrent

Sir Keir Starmer has said decades of commitment to nuclear defence will be guaranteed if Labour wins the next election.

The Labour leader visited Barrow-in-Furness, the home of Britain's Dreadnought nuclear submarines, and vowed to continue his commitment to the country's defence and backed the strengthening of the UK's nuclear deterrent.

He also described his party as a pioneer of defence, saying: "Labour has a long tradition and history when it comes to defence."

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"Nuclear deterrent was something which was pioneered by previous Labour governments. Nato itself was a treaty signed by the then Labour government," said Sir Keir.

"If you go to Brussels and have a look at the original treaty, it's got the Labour signature on it."

He added: "In that tradition and consistent with that history, I am here in Barrow today to make a very important commitment in relation to our nuclear deterrent.

"We're in a more volatile world than we have been in for many years, and that is a cause of great concern.

"That's why we have to fully support our Armed Forces across all the services."

He has also confirmed his support for a boost to the defence budget to 2.5% of GDP and announced a 'triple lock' for Britain's nuclear deterrent.

He said he was concerned about recent cuts to personnel and acknowledged the problems with recruitment and retention within the Armed Forces.

He said: "We want an Armed Forces commissioner who would be dedicated to fighting for those within the Armed Forces.

"If we're privileged enough to be elected into government, there's a cast iron support for our Armed Forces, and everything that they do."

Explaining Labour's 'triple lock', Sir Keir Starmer said: "I'm really pleased to announce the triple lock today in relation to nuclear deterrent.

"The three parts are the Dreadnought Submarines, absolute commitment to that, the second part is the continuous at-sea deterrent, and then the third is the necessary upgrades.

"That's the triple lock."

He added: "That's not a just commitment in Barrow, it's a generational commitment because that will be felt for many years to come."