Military would be fit to fight under Labour, vows Starmer as he commits to at-sea deterrent
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has committed to Britain's nuclear submarines and the four new ones that are currently under construction, promising the UK Armed Forces would be "fit to fight" under a Labour government.
The UK's Continuous At Sea Deterrence is provided by four Vanguard-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines - HMS Vanguard, HMS Victorious, HMS Vigilant and HMS Vengeance.
Speaking at an election campaign event at The Fusilier Museum in Bury, Sir Keir said national security would always come first in a "changed Labour Party".
He committed to a "triple lock" of the current at-sea nuclear deterrence, its upkeep and the four Dreadnought submarines that are being built at Barrow-in-Furness.
Sir Keir said national security was "the most important issue of our times" and would be Labour's "solemn responsibility" if it entered government.
He insisted his whole shadow cabinet was behind him on nuclear weapons, when challenged over previous opposition from some of his front bench.
"We have changed the Labour Party. I know full well that national security, defence of our country, is the number one issue. That is why I voted to renew the deterrent," he said.
"My commitment to the nuclear deterrent is absolute."
Sir Keir was asked by Forces News journalist James Wharton whether he had given any thought to what he might write in his letters of last resort.
These are what all new prime ministers pen to the commanding officers of the Royal Navy's Trident-armed submarines, detailing how they should react to a nuclear attack on Britain.
"As to the circumstances in which the deterrent would be used, obviously that is a matter of high confidentiality," the Labour leader said.
"You wouldn't - and nobody would - expect someone who is serious about being prime minister to disclose the circumstances in which he or she might take action."
Sir Keir also said Britain's Armed Forces would be "fit to fight" under Labour and the UK must "never shy away from doing our duty at home and abroad".
"We have the smallest army since the time of Napoleon, at a time when other countries are firmly on a war footing. And so even as we work tirelessly for peace, we have to be fit to fight," Sir Keir said.
"So let me be unequivocal: this Labour Party is totally committed to the security of our nation, to our Armed Forces and, importantly, to our nuclear deterrent."
He added: “The nuclear deterrent is the foundation of any plan to keep Britain safe, it is essential.
"That is why Labour has announced a new triple lock commitment to our nuclear deterrent. We’ll maintain Britain’s continuous at-sea deterrent 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, deliver all the needed upgrades and we will build four new nuclear submarines."
Labour has matched the Conservatives' pledge to spend 2.5% of national income on defence when economic conditions allow and also promised a new defence review.
Sir Keir added: "Within the first year of a Labour government we will carry out a new strategic defence review, we are absolutely committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible because we know our security isn’t just vital to our safety today, it’s absolutely central to our success for the future.
"National security and economic security must go hand-in-hand."
Fourteen veterans are standing as Labour candidates in the general election, with 10 of those in attendance at the campaign event in Greater Manchester.
This included Al Carns (Labour candidate in Birmingham Selly Oak), who was until last week a colonel in the Royal Marines, Louise Jones (Labour candidate in North East Derbyshire), an Army veteran who was previously an intelligence officer, and Calvin Bailey (Labour candidate in Leyton and Wanstead), who was a commanding officer in the Royal Air Force.
Sir Keir said the fact they were standing as candidates was testament to Labour's change from "the party of protest" to the "party of national security".
The other parties are yet to publicly reveal their policies on defence, although the Conservatives have announced plans to introduce a type of mandatory National Service for 18-year-olds.
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