OPINION
Keir Starmer needs to rethink his course of action (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Economic security is national security, insisted Sir Keir Starmer in the House of Commons this week. But is Labour really making the right choices to empower our economy so we can hold our own internationally? To fund our resurgent armed forces, we need a much stronger economic base than we have now. The Prime Minister and his European allies have been very keen to rattle their sabres this week in support of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but how many of them fully understand their brittle blades are most likely made with steel from abroad or forged with energy imported from the countries they are railing against? President Trump’s dramatic decision to suspend all US military aid to Ukraine underlines how weak Britain and Europe really is in terms of defence.
The US accounts for almost half of all military funding going into Ukraine, compared to all other spending from Europe and other nations, some $67billion compared to the $69billion from the rest of the world. European nations would need to double their donations to come anywhere close to that. Equally, the US has sent more than 4.5 million artillery rounds, whereas the EU missed its target for supplying just one million shells. The PM is to be commended for raising our own military expenditure to 2.5% by cutting overseas aid, but that won’t actually happen until 2027. So when Starmer stands up in Parliament, it is really all talk, whereas Trump wields direct influence.
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Sponsored
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Get started today!Interactive Brokers Learn More
Undo
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Rachel Reeves' Budget sees UK factories cut jobs at fastest rate in five years
41 Comments
Rachel Reeves Cash ISA tax raid forces savers into jaws of looming stock market crash
102 Comments
Rachel Reeves leaves UK seaside towns' beloved piers on the brink - 'she's cost us ￡180k'
153 Comments
Full list of stores closing in March from Homebase to WHSmith and Select
2 Comments
EU caves in to Trump with new ￡663bn plan to boost defence spending
105 Comments
Rachel Reeves urged to scrap inheritance tax entirely: 'This needs to end now!'
18 Comments
Why Keir Starmer sacking Ed Miliband won't help Labour beat Nigel Farage
93 Comments
Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer issued warning over farm tax raid by union boss
9 Comments
Labour's green plans torn apart as 'devastated' family faces 'uncertain future'
8 Comments
Lefty Labour MPs organising rebellion against Keir Starmer's foreign aid cut plans
150 Comments
Food prices rise at third fastest monthly rate in year as warning issued to Rachel Reeves
8 Comments
Ed Miliband 'could face axe' in Starmer Cabinet reshuffle
61 Comments
Local shopkeepers slam Rachel Reeves for one policy causing them ‘sleepless nights'
8 Comments
Keir Starmer is all talk on much-vaunted policy - it's growth pledge all over again
36 Comments
Walmart Photos Which Are Not For EveryoneOld Money Style
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
UK 'telling a generation of young people they are too ill to work'
23 Comments
China and Canada vow to hit back as Trump tariffs take effect
28 Comments
Everybody Wanted To Date Her In The 80's & This Is Her RecentlyWillIBeHappy.com
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
The tiny UK village with less than 1,000 residents is home for ￡14m Brexit powerhouse
1 Comments
Russian economy meltdown as hotels heading for 'catastrophe' due to labour shortage
2 Comments
每天喝苹果醋的7大好处：身体会感谢你的MoneyFunny
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rachel Reeves slashes 'green' spending to find billions more for defence
132 Comments
Asylum and refugee costs could devour third of UK aid budget
176 Comments
Movie stars who turned broke & some of them now work ordinary jobs.The Family Breeze
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rachel Reeves' Budget sees UK factories cut jobs at fastest rate in five years
41 Comments
Rachel Reeves Cash ISA tax raid forces savers into jaws of looming stock market crash
102 Comments
They were so beautiful before; look at them now; number 10 will shock youWillIBeHappy.com
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rachel Reeves leaves UK seaside towns' beloved piers on the brink - 'she's cost us ￡180k'
153 Comments
Full list of stores closing in March from Homebase to WHSmith and Select
2 Comments
【保险业】大学生暑期实习计划 - 实战经验助未来专业发展提升保险业人才培训先导计划 立即申请
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
EU caves in to Trump with new ￡663bn plan to boost defence spending
105 Comments
Rachel Reeves urged to scrap inheritance tax entirely: 'This needs to end now!'
18 Comments
Scarlett Johansson's Actual Size Left Fans SpeechlessThe Latest Article
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Why Keir Starmer sacking Ed Miliband won't help Labour beat Nigel Farage
93 Comments
Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer issued warning over farm tax raid by union boss
9 Comments
Tom Cruise's Daughter Was So Beautiful, Look At Her Now.Favour Lifestyle
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Labour's green plans torn apart as 'devastated' family faces 'uncertain future'
8 Comments
Lefty Labour MPs organising rebellion against Keir Starmer's foreign aid cut plans
150 Comments
Dana Delany, 68, Shows Off Her Perfect Figure In A New PhotoReportingly
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Food prices rise at third fastest monthly rate in year as warning issued to Rachel Reeves
8 Comments
Ed Miliband 'could face axe' in Starmer Cabinet reshuffle
61 Comments
Take a Look Inside The Mansion Where Tom Selleck's Lives AloneFavour Lifestyle
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Local shopkeepers slam Rachel Reeves for one policy causing them ‘sleepless nights'
8 Comments
Keir Starmer is all talk on much-vaunted policy - it's growth pledge all over again
36 Comments
UK 'telling a generation of young people they are too ill to work'
23 Comments
China and Canada vow to hit back as Trump tariffs take effect
28 Comments
The tiny UK village with less than 1,000 residents is home for ￡14m Brexit powerhouse
1 Comments
Russian economy meltdown as hotels heading for 'catastrophe' due to labour shortage
2 Comments
Rachel Reeves slashes 'green' spending to find billions more for defence
132 Comments
Asylum and refugee costs could devour third of UK aid budget
176 Comments
Rachel Reeves' Budget sees UK factories cut jobs at fastest rate in five years
41 Comments
Rachel Reeves Cash ISA tax raid forces savers into jaws of looming stock market crash
102 Comments
Rachel Reeves leaves UK seaside towns' beloved piers on the brink - 'she's cost us ￡180k'
153 Comments
Full list of stores closing in March from Homebase to WHSmith and Select
2 Comments
EU caves in to Trump with new ￡663bn plan to boost defence spending
105 Comments
Rachel Reeves urged to scrap inheritance tax entirely: 'This needs to end now!'
18 Comments
Why Keir Starmer sacking Ed Miliband won't help Labour beat Nigel Farage
93 Comments
Don't miss...
'Keir Starmer's diplomatic wins don't address gaping holes in Labour' [LATEST]
GMB's Susanna Reid skewers 'blindsided' Angela Rayner in huge blow to Starmer [LATEST]
President Zelensky in his determination to fight on may be brave but he is counting on wishful thinking from virtue-signalling Europeans rather than actual power.
Trump is laser-focused on ensuring the US generates the kind of economic prosperity that delivers real military security. It is noticeable that his comments questioning Zelensky’s commitment to peace came in the midst of a speech announcing a $100billion Taiwanese investment in manufacturing cutting-edge microchips in the US.
With this one deal he will have secured 40% of all semiconductor production within US borders, creating some 25,000 high-paid jobs, and future-proofing his nation against any Chinese threats toward Taiwan. It is extraordinary that neither the BBC nor similar liberal mainstream media did not report this amid their constant rage against Trump and yet this is the nuts and bolts of national security.
Sponsored
Boite A ScoopOldest Stars Who Are Still Alive And Often Forgotten
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
How could we ever secure such a deal when our industrial electricity costs are at least four times those of the US?
President Trump and his VP JD Vance are quite rightly askance at the enemies within Europe, those advocates of mass migration costing us billions every year, or worse, the net-zero crusaders who are blithely unconcerned about the damage they have caused our industries and energy production. It is striking that Mississippi, the poorest state in the US, is coming close to surpassing Germany’s GDP per capita and is already ahead of Britain.
Don't miss...
Xi Jinping plots cunning deal with EU as he takes brutal swipe at Donald Trump [LATEST]
China and Canada vow to hit back as Trump tariffs take effect [LATEST]
Trending
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
A report out this week exposes the lie behind Labour’s net zero promise that decarbonisation will give us growth. Instead there has been a steady decline in electricity supply since 2000. “If an economy throttles its production of energy, it impairs its capacity to produce all types of goods and services,” says its investment bank authors, thus reducing growth per-capita and adding to household costs.
At the same time as this squeeze on national wealth comes Rachel Reeves’ business tax rises next month. With many caterers and retailers forced to close their doors amid rising employment costs, it’s no surprise our tax base is dwindling, with fewer pounds coming into government coffers.
If Labour’s only answer to stagnating growth is to raise taxes yet again, it will trigger an economic doom loop that will undermine any lofty words about standing shoulder to shoulder against the tyrant Putin.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Rachel Reeves' Budget sees UK factories cut jobs at fastest rate in five years
41 Comments
Rachel Reeves Cash ISA tax raid forces savers into jaws of looming stock market crash
102 Comments
Rachel Reeves leaves UK seaside towns' beloved piers on the brink - 'she's cost us ￡180k'
153 Comments
Full list of stores closing in March from Homebase to WHSmith and Select
2 Comments
EU caves in to Trump with new ￡663bn plan to boost defence spending
105 Comments
Rachel Reeves urged to scrap inheritance tax entirely: 'This needs to end now!'
18 Comments
Why Keir Starmer sacking Ed Miliband won't help Labour beat Nigel Farage
93 Comments
Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer issued warning over farm tax raid by union boss
9 Comments
Labour's green plans torn apart as 'devastated' family faces 'uncertain future'
8 Comments
Lefty Labour MPs organising rebellion against Keir Starmer's foreign aid cut plans
150 Comments
Food prices rise at third fastest monthly rate in year as warning issued to Rachel Reeves
8 Comments
Ed Miliband 'could face axe' in Starmer Cabinet reshuffle
61 Comments
Local shopkeepers slam Rachel Reeves for one policy causing them ‘sleepless nights'
8 Comments
Keir Starmer is all talk on much-vaunted policy - it's growth pledge all over again
36 Comments
Scarlett Johansson, 40, Shows Off Her Actual Size In A New PhotosThe Latest Article
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
UK 'telling a generation of young people they are too ill to work'
23 Comments
China and Canada vow to hit back as Trump tariffs take effect
28 Comments
Her Outfit Caught Everyone's Eye The StadiumTrue Edition
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
The tiny UK village with less than 1,000 residents is home for ￡14m Brexit powerhouse
1 Comments
Russian economy meltdown as hotels heading for 'catastrophe' due to labour shortage
2 Comments
狗狗不肯让宝宝一个人睡——父母知道原因后，立刻报警了有趣事实
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rachel Reeves slashes 'green' spending to find billions more for defence
132 Comments
Asylum and refugee costs could devour third of UK aid budget
176 Comments
您不应忽视的 10 个糖尿病早期徵兆HealthLife
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rachel Reeves' Budget sees UK factories cut jobs at fastest rate in five years
41 Comments
Rachel Reeves Cash ISA tax raid forces savers into jaws of looming stock market crash
102 Comments
退休医生坦言：寿命长不是靠多走路和多睡觉，而是坚持这2件小事TopManFun 了解更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rachel Reeves leaves UK seaside towns' beloved piers on the brink - 'she's cost us ￡180k'
153 Comments
Full list of stores closing in March from Homebase to WHSmith and Select
2 Comments
机电工程署「技术员训练计划」现正招聘。截止申请日期：3月10日机电工程署 了解更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
EU caves in to Trump with new ￡663bn plan to boost defence spending
105 Comments
Rachel Reeves urged to scrap inheritance tax entirely: 'This needs to end now!'
18 Comments
加沙：死亡陷阱中的生活 - 你的支持能转化为医疗人道援助无国界医生（香港） 立即捐款
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Why Keir Starmer sacking Ed Miliband won't help Labour beat Nigel Farage
93 Comments
Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer issued warning over farm tax raid by union boss
9 Comments
They Were So Beautiful Before; Now Look At Them; Number 10 Will Shock YouCash Roadster
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Labour's green plans torn apart as 'devastated' family faces 'uncertain future'
8 Comments
Lefty Labour MPs organising rebellion against Keir Starmer's foreign aid cut plans
150 Comments
SHAPE Design Top-up Degrees 培育创意无限设计人才SHAPE 才晋高等教育学院 立即申请
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Food prices rise at third fastest monthly rate in year as warning issued to Rachel Reeves
8 Comments
Ed Miliband 'could face axe' in Starmer Cabinet reshuffle
61 Comments
10 Celebrities Without Makeup; Number 10 Will Shock YouTelehealth Dave
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Local shopkeepers slam Rachel Reeves for one policy causing them ‘sleepless nights'
8 Comments
Keir Starmer is all talk on much-vaunted policy - it's growth pledge all over again
36 Comments
UK 'telling a generation of young people they are too ill to work'
23 Comments
China and Canada vow to hit back as Trump tariffs take effect
28 Comments
The tiny UK village with less than 1,000 residents is home for ￡14m Brexit powerhouse
1 Comments
Russian economy meltdown as hotels heading for 'catastrophe' due to labour shortage
2 Comments
Rachel Reeves slashes 'green' spending to find billions more for defence
132 Comments
Asylum and refugee costs could devour third of UK aid budget
176 Comments
Rachel Reeves' Budget sees UK factories cut jobs at fastest rate in five years
41 Comments
Rachel Reeves Cash ISA tax raid forces savers into jaws of looming stock market crash
102 Comments
Rachel Reeves leaves UK seaside towns' beloved piers on the brink - 'she's cost us ￡180k'
153 Comments
Full list of stores closing in March from Homebase to WHSmith and Select
2 Comments
EU caves in to Trump with new ￡663bn plan to boost defence spending
105 Comments
Rachel Reeves urged to scrap inheritance tax entirely: 'This needs to end now!'
18 Comments
Why Keir Starmer sacking Ed Miliband won't help Labour beat Nigel Farage
93 Comments
宝宝不停地摸肚子–医生发现原因时惊呆了热门话题
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
This Photo Has Not Been Edited, Take a Closer LookTrue Edition
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
数百万苏丹人民正面临严重营养不良危机无国界医生（香港）
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Taylor Swift Is Photographed Without Makeup, This Is How She Really Looks.Telehealth Dave
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Britain only ruled the waves in the 19th century because we were the workshop of the world, using our industry to fund our expansion of power around the globe. If we continue to impoverish ourselves, it is little wonder that the new economic superpowers like the US or China will continue to marginalise our importance in world decision making.
We have done this to ourselves and should be heartily ashamed of conniving in this wilful weakening of our national strength.
If the PM is honest about wanting to improve our national security, he should look really hard at measures to improve our economic security – not undermine it. At the very least, his new realism should include junking net zero.