In an increasingly volatile world, Britain’s security depends on more than just our armed forces.

It requires strong alliances and a steadfast commitment to national defence. At the heart of this is the “special relationship” with the United States—a partnership forged in the darkest days of the 20th century and one that continues to underpin global stability.

Yet, under Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour, this cornerstone of our defence policy is at risk of being undermined.

Labour’s persistent uncertainty on defence spending is deeply concerning. The previous Conservative Government pledged to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030, increasing the resources for our military to defend our nation and uphold global peace. This commitment reflected not only the growing dangers of a more unstable world, with escalating potential threats from Russia, China, and Iran, but also a clear and unwavering dedication to our armed forces.

In stark contrast, Starmer has offered no such assurances, leaving our military vulnerable to further cuts imposed by Rachel Reeves and HM Treasury.

Without a clear increase in funding, vital defence projects risk being delayed or scrapped. Just weeks ago, the Defence Secretary announced £500million in cuts to warships, military helicopters, and a fleet of drones.

Over the coming months, Labour’s failure to outline a clear path to 2.5 per cent could lead to even more cuts—likely to be welcomed by adversaries like Vladimir

Putin. Meanwhile, much-needed modernisation of our naval fleet, upgrades to armoured vehicles, and expansion of missile defence systems will continue to be deferred.

The issue of the Chagos Islands highlights Labour’s dangerously misguided foreign policy and its willingness to jeopardise Britain’s strategic interests. The Chagos Archipelago, particularly the crucial Diego Garcia military base, is a linchpin of Western security, enabling vital joint operations between Britain and the United States.

This base is key to our defence strategy, supporting counterterrorism efforts and our wider global obligations. Yet, Labour seems intent on abandoning our closest allies. The notion that we could relinquish control of Diego Garcia to appease non binding judgements from international bodies undermines the very foundation of our “special relationship” with the United States, weakening our position in critical global hotspots.

Moreover, it is increasingly clear that both the new Mauritian government and the incoming Trump administration have strong reservations about any deal concerning the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands.

With both of these key players expressing doubts, surely now is the time to abandon this proposed treaty. Continuing down this path risks undermining our security, while offering no tangible benefits in return.

The United States remains Britain’s closest ally, but alliances are built on trust and mutual reliability. By failing to fully commit to defence spending of 2.5 per cent and entertaining policies that could weaken the strategic foundations of our relationship, Starmer risks placing this partnership on a precarious footing. In a time of escalating global instability, Britain cannot afford to appear weak or indecisive, either to our friends or foes. We must demonstrate the vision and resolve to safeguard both our nation and our key alliances.