Lib Dem's call for 2.5% defence increase and cross party talks after Trump's 'betrayal'
Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has urged the Prime Minister to rapidly increase defence spending, aiming to hit 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible, following what he called Donald Trump's "betrayal" of Ukraine, the UK and its allies.
Lib Dems say they have set out a plan for UK defence spending to hit 2.5% and propose cross-party talks on further increases, including looking at 3% of gross domestic product (GDP), a measure of national economic output.
The Lib Dems have also long called for the 10,000-troop cut under the Conservatives to be reversed.
Ed Davey called on the Prime Minister to adopt the party's plans and hold talks to establish a consensus across the political divide on how to further increase defence spending beyond 2.5% of GDP.
"Donald Trump's stitch-up with Putin amounts to a betrayal of Ukraine, the UK and all our allies," he said.
"It is clear: we are living in a new and dangerous world. We must respond.
"To ensure that Great Britain is protected against Russia and able to provide the leadership which our continent needs in the absence of the US, we must increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP as soon as possible.
The Lib Dem leader also said, due to "the severity of the threats we now face", measures should "not stop there".
"Politicians should get around the table and create a consensus on how to go further," he said.
"We simply cannot afford not to do this. Our national security is at stake.
"The question is not whether we take this step now: it is what happens if we do not.
"The UK needs to make a clear stand for allies in Ukraine and across Eastern Europe, for democracy and for our security - against an emboldened Vladimir Putin."
The Liberal Democrats pointed to raising the Digital Services Tax on tech giants as a potential source for the required revenue needed to increase defence spending.
The party has also been calling on the Government to provide Ukraine with a significant boost in support by seizing frozen Russian assets and repurposing them to Kyiv's forces.
His comments come following the conclusion of US-Russia initial talks on Ukraine in Saudi Arabia, and ahead of Keir Starmer's visit to Washington next week.
He is not the only party leader calling for an increase, as earlier this week, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: "The PM (Sir Keir Starmer) will have my support to increase defence spending – there is a fully funded plan to get to 2.5% sitting on his desk. That should be the bare minimum.
"Starmer should get on with it, get on a plane to Washington and show some leadership. We cannot afford to get this wrong," she added.
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