Quote of the day 12th November 2024

"This, then, is the time for European leaders to take responsibility for their own defence. Sir Keir Starmer should waste no time in announcing a major increase in defence spending. Last week’s Budget is already out of date. The idea that Britain’s armed forces should be further reduced is for the birds. At the very least, the Prime Minister should announce that the UK will immediately move to 2.5 per cent of GDP — a figure for which Rachel Reeves gave no firm timetable. Right now, Poland (a poorer country) is spending twice as much on defence as the Starmer government has even talked about. The Poles have the example of Winston Churchill to heart, while British politicians sound more like Neville Chamberlain.

Sir Keir must move fast not only to reassure our Nato allies that Britain is standing firm, but that Ukraine too can count on increased military support. It is vital at this critical moment to send a clear signal to Moscow that the West is not falling apart. On the contrary, demonstrating our solidarity with the Ukrainians is more important than ever before. Their fight is our fight."

Daniel Johnson, from a piece on "The Article" website which you can read in full here.