Former NATO leader Lord George Robertson, who authored the government’s Strategic Defence Review, has warned that Britain’s security is “in peril” and accused political leaders of corrosive complacency toward defence. In a speech to be delivered on Tuesday, he also targeted so‑called non‑military experts in the Treasury, whom he described as vandalising the SDR’s aims. He argues that the government’s plan to publish a ten‑year defence investment programme to fund the SDR’s vision has been repeatedly delayed, and a spokesperson stressed that the strategy is backed by the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, with more than £270 billion being invested across this Parliament.
In a direct political intervention, Robertson will say that Britain cannot defend itself with an ever‑growing welfare budget. Speaking in Salisbury, the former Labour defence secretary will warn: “We are underprepared. We are underinsured. We are under attack. We are not safe… Britain’s national security and safety is in peril.” He will add that there is corrosive complacency today in Britain’s political leadership, with lip service paid to threats and risk signals, and that even a promised national conversation about defence cannot be started.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has previously said the investment plan is on his desk and being finalised. A defence official highlighted the government’s target to spend 3% of GDP on defence by the end of the next Parliament. A government spokesperson said: “We are delivering on the Strategic Defence Review to meet the threats we face.”
There is ongoing debate about NATO members’ defence commitments as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has intensified scrutiny of allied spending. The head of the British armed forces told the BBC last month that he rejected claims Britain was ill‑prepared for the current Middle East conflict, which began on 28 February with a joint US‑Israeli attack on Iran, describing it as probably the most dangerous period in the last 30 years. Some have questioned the UK’s response, including the decision to send a Royal Navy ship to Cyprus to protect the UK military base RAF Akrotiri, which was targeted by a drone attack.
Keir Starmer remains a central figure as the UK weighs how to balance defence needs with other commitments while NATO allies face similar pressures.
