Sir Keir Starmer has said he is committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence “within our fiscal rules” ahead of the Nato summit in Washington DC.
But the prime minister cautioned that he needed to carry out a review before setting a timeline to reach that goal.
He said: “I am committed to that 2.5% within our fiscal rules. That strategic review needs to come first.
“But today, tomorrow and the next day is all about standing together with our allies, discussing practically how we provide further support to Ukraine, and send a very, very clear message to Putin that we will stand against Russian aggression wherever it is in the world.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Sir Keir praised Diane Abbott in his first speech in the Commons as prime minister following tension between the two early in the campaign trail.
Addressing the new mother of the House, he said she “has done so much in her many years to fight for a parliament that truly represents modern Britain”.
Rishi Sunak addressed the Commons for the first time as leader of the opposition and congratulated the new prime minister on his role, saying “he and his family deserve the good wishes of all of us in this House”.
Key Points
- Starmer says defence spending commitment ‘cast iron’ but refuses to set timeline
- Starmer praises Abbott in Parliament
- Suank makes first speech as Leader of the Opposition
- Sir Ed Davey: ‘We will hold the governement to account'
Prime minister accused of ‘playing with fire’ for delaying defence spending decision
07:30
Salma Ouaguira
During a flight to Washington, Sir Keir Starmer told reporters he is committed to the 2.5% increase on defence spending.
But the prime minister has been accused by a former colonel in British military intelligence of “playing with fire” for delaying the decision on defence spending until after the review.
Philip Ingram said: “It will take years to fix the army, our ammunition stocks, get the RAF and navy ready”.
F ormer head of the navy Lord West of Spithead, who was a security minister under a previous Labour government, said the party should confirm a timeline during the summit to “set an example to all European countries”.
Starmer says defence spending commitment ‘cast iron’ but refuses to set timeline
07:17
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer has refused to guarantee that he will meet his flagship commitment on defence spending within his first term in office, despite a “cast iron” promise to get there.
The prime minister, who is meeting US President Joe Biden and other Nato leaders today at a summit to mark the alliance’s 75th anniversary, is pressing for European nations to increase defence spending.
But decisions on reaching the UK’s goal of spending 2.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) will follow a wholesale defence review being launched next week and must comply with the Government’s strict “fiscal rules” on spending and borrowing.
Speaking to reporters, Sir Keir was repeatedly pressed on whether the goal of spending 2.5% of GDP would be reached within his first term.
He said: “We are committed to the 2.5%, as I have said before the election and I say again after the election. That is obviously subject to our fiscal rules, but the commitment is there.
“The strategic review will take place, that will happen next week, and we will set out the details of that.
“The manifesto commitment was that it would take place within a year, I would like it to be quicker than that if I’m honest and we’ll set out the details about how we are going to do it.”
Mapped: Reform won five seats, but made gains in hundreds
07:00
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Reform made gains in hundreds of seats across the country at last week’s general election, voting data shows.
Though Nigel Farage’s right-wing challenger party only won five seats in parliament, Reform took 14 per cent of the national vote – exceeding the Lib Dems at 12 per cent.
Reform made significant headway in over 100 seats, despite problems that arose with several candidates, many of whom were chosen in a scramble before the deadline.
Labour voters want Starmer to ditch his Brexit red lines and rejoin single market
06:00
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
New polling shows that the vast majority of voters who went to the polls to vote for a Keir Starmer government want Labour to drop its Brexit “red lines” and reverse the Tory legacy on Europe.
Asked about whether Labour should reconsider its stance on the single market, customs union and freedom of movement in order to gain economic benefit, 71 per cent thought they should.
Just 14 per cent thought they should not alter their Brexit red line stance, with only 2 per cent saying “definitely not”.
05:00
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Outrage as Suella Braverman brands Pride flag flying ‘a horrible political campaign’
04:00
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Suella Braverman is facing a backlash after launching an extraordinary attack on the LGBT community, describing government buildings flying rainbow flags as “occupied territory”.
In a speech to burnish her leadership credentials with the Tory right, the ex-home secretary said the Progress version of the Pride flag represented “a horrible political campaign I disagreed with” and described trying to have it removed from her Marsham Street office.
And, in the incendiary speech, she said the flag symbolised support for “the mutilation of children in our hospitals”, something which she said “physically repulsed” her.
Will Rishi Sunak stick around to take on Keir Starmer at PMQs?
03:00
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Why is Starmer sticking two fingers up at Blair’s advice?
02:00
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
If I were to sum up in one sentence the strategy that won Keir Starmer a landslide at this general election, it would probably be: “Hey – do you guys remember Tony Blair?”
It’s a fair tactic – after all, the former leader was the most successful in Labour’s history. His 179-seat majority in 1997 was the high watermark that Starmer aimed for and, to his credit, came within a whisker of hitting.
Read more from Paul Clements here:
01:00
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Furious Tory MPs claim plot to stitch up leadership contest after 1922 vote controversy
Wednesday 10 July 2024 00:00
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Furious Tory MPs have claimed there is a ‘plot’ to determine who replaces Rishi Sunak after controversy over the election of a new chair of the influential 1922 Committee.
Less than a week after losing the general election, the party is involved in an angry row over its internal elections.
Tensions are running high as the 1922 Committee of backbench MPs will decide the rules for the party’s next leadership contest.
Keir Starmer under pressure to increase defence spending ahead of first Nato summit as PM
Tuesday 9 July 2024 23:00
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure to raise defence spending ahead of his first Nato summit as prime minister.
A day after the deadliest strikes by Vladimir Putin’s forces in Ukraine for months, the Labour leader is facing calls to hike spending on defence towards 3 per cent of GDP to keep Britain safe.
Former head of the army General Sir Patrick Sanders has warned that the UK’s armed forces are so depleted they could only fight a small war for around a month.
‘I am not AI’: Reform UK candidate accused of being bot speaks out
Tuesday 9 July 2024 22:00
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Suffering from pneumonia, Reform candidate Mark Matlock checked social media after he missed election night to find he was being accused of being an AI bot.
Looking at his glossy profile picture, online commentators had decided he was computer-generated and the inevitable Twitter pile-on ensued.
Fuel was added to the fire when he didn’t show up for hustings or even the election count after winning 1,758 votes for Brixton and Clapham Hill on a day of national success for Nigel Farage and his fledgling party.
Cleverly says Tories must ‘get their act together’
Tuesday 9 July 2024 21:00
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
James Cleverly has said his party must “get our act together” after the party’s crushing General Election defeat.
The shadow home secretary, who has not yet said whether he will run to replace Rishi Sunak as Tory leader, wrote in The Times that his party has lost its reputation for competence and has been “too often preoccupied with infighting” in recent years.
He said: “We must now rediscover that competence to become an effective opposition and give ourselves the best possible chance of returning to government at the next election.
“That means a sensible post mortem on what went wrong and finding the right path forwards. As we do this we must remember two vital things. Firstly, it cannot descend into bitter infighting and finger pointing. That is exactly how we ended up here.”
He said the Conservative Party has “always been at its best when it embraces being a broad church” and that the party will not win back voters to the left and right if it narrows its offer.
“We must get our act together. We need to unite in order to deliver. It will take humility and hard work, to recover our reputation for competence and integrity, to rebuild trust in our party, and unite behind a broad platform that will give people a reason to vote Conservative again.”
Tory members must hold vote in leadership content - Rees-Mogg
Tuesday 9 July 2024 20:30
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg addresses speculation that Tory memebrs could lose their vote in an upcoming party leadership vote.
He says: “If any of you belong to Conservative associations, bear in mind that rule can only be changed if Conservative association chairmen agree to it.
“Do you want me to tell you how hanging, drawing and quartering takes place because that is what you should do to your association chairmen if he or she even thinks of voting to take away your vote.
“Democracy must never be rolled back and the idea that the MPs are so wise and know better than our members, well, look who they gave us and look who the members gave us. I am with the members every time.”
Who are the five new Reform MPs elected across the UK? Everything you need to know
Tuesday 9 July 2024 20:00
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party made a dramatic statement at the general election, winning more than four million votes and taking a significant bite out of support for the Tories.
Yet despite taking 14 per cent of the popular vote, the right-wing party returned with just five seats of the 650 represented in Westminster. That is because under the First Past the Post system, the party came second in 98 seats, many of which are now held by Labour.
Vowing to build a “mass movement” that can mount a generation election challenge in 2029, Mr Farage, who is now MP for Clacton, said: “We’re coming for Labour – be in no doubt about that. “This is just the first step of something that is going to stun all of you,” he added during his victory speech in the early hours of Friday morning.
Below we take a look at the five new Reform MPs, who attended Parliament for the first time on Tuesday:
PM ‘committed’ to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence
Tuesday 9 July 2024 19:30
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Sir Keir Starmer said he is committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence “within our fiscal rules” and said he needed to carry out a review before setting a timeline to reach that goal.
Speaking before his departure to the Nato summit in Washington, the Prime Minister said: “The most important thing is to, at this Nato summit, recommit to our solidarity with and stand with Ukraine and discuss the practical plans for further action we can take together in relation to Russian aggression.”
He added: “In relation to defence more generally, we will carry out our strategic review to look at the challenges, the capabilities, and on the back of that make further plans.
“I am committed to that 2.5% within our fiscal rules. That strategic review needs to come first. But today, tomorrow and the next day is all about standing together with our allies, discussing practically how we provide further support to Ukraine, and send a very, very clear message to Putin that we will stand against Russian aggression wherever it is in the world.”
Starmer: Nato summit is chance for allies to stand together against Putin
Tuesday 9 July 2024 19:15
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Sir Keir Starmer said he has a “very clear” message to Vladimir Putin that the Nato summit is an opportunity for allies to stand together against Russian aggression.
Sir Keir said before he departed for Washington: “My message is very, very clear.
“This Nato summit is an opportunity for allies to stand together, to strengthen their resolve, particularly in light of that appalling attack, against Russian aggression,” he said, referring to Russian missile attacks on Monday that damaged the country’s largest children’s hospital.
“I’m pleased to have the early opportunity to confirm and reaffirm Labour’s strong support, unshakeable support for Nato.
“We are a founding member, it’s now the 75th anniversary but this is an opportunity to send that message in relation to Russian aggression wherever.
“But that attack ... was appalling so that message is even more important than it was before.”
More than half of anti-abortion MPs lose seats in election
Tuesday 9 July 2024 19:00
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Over a dozen anti-abortion MPs have lost their seats in the recent general election – sparking hopes abortion could soon be decriminalised.
Some 15 Tory MPs with a record of voting against legislation that supports abortion rights lost their seats during the snap election last week – with Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, Maria Caulfield, Fiona Bruce, Liam Fox, and Miriam Cates among them.
Sir Jacob previously branded the legal procedure of abortion as morally wrong and a “cult of death” and has said he is even against terminations in cases of rape or incest.
What is devolution and how will Keir Starmer’s Labour change Westminster’s relationships with the UK?
Tuesday 9 July 2024 18:46
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Sir Keir Starmer has kickstarted a “new era of devolution” as he commences his tour of the UK after just four days in office.
The new prime minister and his deputy, Angela Rayner, met on Tuesday with the nation’s 12 regional mayors to discuss “a major programme of devolution”.
Sir Keir spent Sunday in Scotland, where he met SNP first minister John Swinney. On Monday, he met political leaders at Stormont in Northern Ireland and The Senedd in Wales, including the nation’s first ministers, Michelle O’Neill and Vaughan Gething.
Colum Eastwood affirms allegiance to the King ‘under protest'
Tuesday 9 July 2024 18:14
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has said he is affirming allegiance to the King “under protest”.
He said: “I read out this empty formula in order to represent my constituents but it’s under protest.
“I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors according to law.
“My true allegiance is to the people of Derry and to the people of Ireland.”
Mapped: Reform won five seats, but made gains in hundreds
Tuesday 9 July 2024 17:48
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Reform made gains in hundreds of seats across the country at last week’s general election, voting data shows.
Though Nigel Farage’s right-wing challenger party only won five seats in parliament, Reform took 14 per cent of the national vote – exceeding the Lib Dems at 12 per cent.
Reform made significant headway in over 100 seats, despite problems that arose with several candidates, many of whom were chosen in a scramble before the deadline.
Mapped: Reform won five seats, but made gains in hundreds
Tuesday 9 July 2024 17:43
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Reform made gains in hundreds of seats across the country at last week’s general election, voting data shows.
Though Nigel Farage’s right-wing challenger party only won five seats in parliament, Reform took 14 per cent of the national vote – exceeding the Lib Dems at 12 per cent.
Reform made significant headway in over 100 seats, despite problems that arose with several candidates, many of whom were chosen in a scramble before the deadline.
Davey ‘happy for Lib Dem ideas to be stolen’ as he welcomes new MPs to Parliament
Tuesday 9 July 2024 17:25
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The Liberal Democrats will continue to argue for the policies in their manifesto, Sir Ed Davey has said as he welcomed his party’s 72 MPs to Parliament on Tuesday.
The tally is the highest number of Liberal or Lib Dem MPs for more than a century, with the party securing victories in former Conservative strongholds in the South West and South East.
Tuesday was the first time all 72 had been in Westminster at the same time, as MPs gathered to re-elect Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and begin swearing the oath of allegiance ahead of next week’s State Opening of Parliament.
Speaking to broadcasters in Parliament, Sir Ed said he was confident the Liberal Democrats’ weight of numbers would mean “our voice will be heard”.
He said: “We will keep championing Liberal Democrat policies in our manifesto. We called it a fair deal for people and we want that fair deal delivered in Parliament.”
Foreign Office minister takes oath in Welsh
Tuesday 9 July 2024 17:12
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty has become the first MP of this Parliament to take his oath in Welsh.
The Labour MP for Cardiff South and Penarth first took an oath holding a King James Bible in English.
He then swapped the text for a Welsh Bible and said: “Yr wyf yn addo, trwy gymorth y Goruchaf, y byddaf yn ffyddlon ac yn wir deyrngar i’w Fawrhydi, y Brenin Charles, ei etifeddion a’i olynwyr, yn ol y Ddeddf, yn wyneb Duw.”
Sunak takes oath on the Bhagavad Gita
Tuesday 9 July 2024 17:00
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Former prime minister Rishi Sunak, who is a practicing Hindu, chose to take his oath on the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Sanskrit text.
He said: “I swear by almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.”
All Labour Cabinet members and Tory shadow cabinet members have also sworn in following the General Election.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband chose to affirm, stating: “”I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.”
Tuesday 9 July 2024 16:43
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Before last week’s general election, Nigel Farage had sought to become an MP multiple times without success.
PM affirms as he is sworn in
Tuesday 9 July 2024 16:25
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer opted to affirm, saying: “”I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles his heirs and successors, according to the law.”
SDLP leader jokes new MPs should not fall out with Speaker
Tuesday 9 July 2024 16:15
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has joked new MPs should not fall out with the Speaker.
It came after Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, sat behind Mr Eastwood, elicited groans when he criticised Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s predecessor John Bercow as a “little man”.
The SDLP leader said: “I want to take this opportunity also to welcome all the new members, even the ones that I profoundly disagree with. The one piece of advice I have to give every new member here is to remember that the Speaker doesn’t just chair the meetings - he’s the boss.
“He is in charge of everything around this place and I would do well be it not to fall out with him.”
Mr Eastwood suggested “sucking up sometimes is good” before saying, to laughter: “I would to take this opportunity to say that Mr Speaker, to thank you and congratulating you.
He had earlier said: “We look forward to holding the new Government to account with the promises that they’ve made to the people of the north of Ireland.”
Sir Lindsay Hoyle takes oath as Speaker of the House
Tuesday 9 July 2024 16:03
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Sir Lindsay Hoyle has taken his oath as the reelected Speaker of the House before the new government.
He will be followed by the Father of the House and the Mother of the House, then members of the Cabinet and members of the Shadow Cabinet.
Junior doctors hail ‘positive meeting’ with health secretary Wes Streeting
Tuesday 9 July 2024 15:59
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Junior doctors hailed a “positive meeting” with Wes Streeting on Tueday, describing it as a “first step” towards ending their long-running dispute over pay.
Dr Vivek Trivedi and Dr Robert Laurenson, co-chairmen of the British Medical Association’s (BMA) Junior Doctors’ Committee said there are no plans for further strike action “at the moment”, with further negotiations expected next week.
It came after Mr Streeting said he was optimistic ahead of the talks with striking junior doctors, describing the change of government as “an important reset moment” in relations between the government and the (BMA).
Green Party co-leader hopes Parliament can move to ‘less tribal form of politics'
Tuesday 9 July 2024 15:55
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay congratulated speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle on his appointment and added: “I can already say on behalf of the new cohort of Green MPs that we have been very pleased with the support you have given us when you’ve shown that you go out of your way to support new members in this House and support MPs of all parties to be able to hold the Government to account and represent (their) constituents.”
“May I associate myself with the remarks of the Prime Minister about the importance of politics being about public service?
“And I very much hope in this new Parliament, we can all move to a less tribal form of politics where we work together where we can agree and move things forward in the national interest.”
Sorcha-Lucy Eastwood says her presence in Commons reflects a ‘changing’ Northern Ireland
Tuesday 9 July 2024 15:48
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Alliance MP Sorcha-Lucy Eastwood said her presence in the Commons demonstrates a “changing” Northern Ireland, meanwhile Traditional Unionist Voice MP Jim Allister said he would be on his “best behaviour”.
Speaking in the Commons, the Lagan Valley said: “My presence here demonstrates a changing, more-shared and integrating Northern Ireland, and of that in alliance we are very proud.”
She added: “All of us in this House do owe a debt of gratitude to our constituents, I will never forget the constituents of Lagan Valley and I join with everybody in the whole House in looking forward to committing to public service for all.”
Addressing the re-elected speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Mr Allister said: “With me on my best behaviour, and you at your tolerant best, I trust that we will have a mutually cordially relationship going forward. I will certainly draw upon your guidance and the experience that you bring to this House.”
Mr Allister told the Commons he has a “very clear message” that “Northern Ireland’s place within this United Kingdom must be restored”.
The North Antrim MP added: “We must end the partitioning of our kingdom by a foreign border, and we must end a situation where 300 areas of law in Northern Ireland are not controlled by this House, not controlled by Stormont, but controlled by a foreign Parliament, that is an appalling constitutional afront. And my focus in this House will be in playing my part in seeking to redress that gross inequity.”
Reform UK leader says his party ‘has no experience in this Parliament’
Tuesday 9 July 2024 15:41
Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Reform UK leader and first time MP Nigel Farage said his party were “the new kids on the block.”
He continued: “We have no experience in this Parliament whatsoever, even though some of us have tried many times over the years previously.”
Eliciting groans from the Government benches, Mr Farage compared speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle to his predecessor John Bercow.
He said: “We absolutely endorse (Sir Lindsay) entirely for this job. And it is, I must say, in marked contrast to the little man that was there before you and besmirched the office so dreadfully in doing his best to overturn the biggest democratic result in the history of the country. We support you Sir fully.”
DUP leader Gavin Robinson also welcomed Sir Lindsay Hoyle, making reference to his earlier mention of DUP MP Jim Shannon.
He said: “Congratulations Mr Speaker-elect, we are thrilled to see you back in your seat but for those new members of parliament who have yet to understand just how this place works, some of them will learn through time that Jim Shannon needed no further encouragement.”