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Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026

Keir Starmer Positions Labour as the 'Party of National Security'

Labour leader Keir Starmer will assert that his party is the 'party of national security' in preparation for the general election. He plans to endorse a 'triple lock' on the UK's nuclear deterrent and increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP. Starmer will present this stance in north-west England, supported by 14 Labour candidates with military backgrounds to bolster this image.
Keir Starmer, Labour leader, is set to declare his party as the 'party of national security' in the context of the upcoming general election.

To support this assertion, Starmer will pledge a 'triple lock' on the UK's nuclear deterrent and aims to raise defense spending to 2.5% of GDP 'as soon as resources allow'.

The announcement will be made in the north-west of England, where Starmer plans to appear with Labour parliamentary candidates, 14 of whom possess military experience.

The Labour 'triple lock' includes constructing four new nuclear submarines in Barrow-in-Furness and ensuring continuous upgrades to maintain the UK's at-sea deterrent.

The speech, also featuring shadow defense secretary John Healey, will underscore Labour's focus on national security as a response to 14 years of Conservative governance.

Veteran and current Labour candidates such as Fred Thomas, Calvin Bailey, Louise Jones, Alistair Carns, and Mike Tapp, will illustrate Labour's new defense-oriented stance.

Starmer aims to distinguish the current Labour Party from his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn's more critical view of Nato and Trident.

Starmer emphasized that national security is foundational for the new Labour party, citing the party's transformation and the commitment to Nato.

Healey criticized the Conservative track record on defense, highlighting the reduction and morale issues in the armed forces since 2010.

Starmer's recent rhetoric suggests that the general election is a choice between continued instability under Conservatives or renewed national security with Labour.
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