Keir Starmer criticises SNP's anti-Trident stance
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has criticised the SNP’s opposition to Trident, labelling it the “single most important part” of the UK’s defence capability.
Speaking from BAE Systems in Glasgow as the UK Government publishes its strategic defence review, the prime minister said the country was “moving to warfighting readiness”.
He reiterated his government’s commitment to spend three per cent of GDP on defence at some point in the next parliament but refused to put a precise date on when that target would be met.
And asked about the upcoming Scottish Parliament byelection in South Lanarkshire, which is expected to be a tight race due to discontentment among voters with the Labour government, the prime minister said his “first priority” was the safety and security of the country.
He added: “At this time of renewed threat and instability across Europe, the SNP’s position is to get rid of our nuclear deterrent – the single most important part of our capability that has kept Scotland and the United Kingdom safe for many, many years.
“And at this moment, they renewed their pledge to get rid of our nuclear deterrent. Imagine the effect that would have on the safety and security of the United Kingdom and Scotland.”
The Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse byelection takes place on Thursday. It was called following the death of SNP minister Christina McKelvie, who held the seat since its creation in 2011.
Scottish Labour had been hopeful of its chances of winning the seat, given it won the near-equivalent Westminster seat in the general election last summer, but the race between it and the SNP is neck and neck.
Reform UK is also expected to perform well, but Starmer dismissed the party’s chances of winning, saying it was “only Labour that could beat the SNP”.
He accused Nigel Farage’s party of planning to spend billions on “uncosted” pledges.
He said: “That is what Liz Truss did, that’s what blew up the economy, that’s what led to the infliction of harm on working people in Scotland, whether it’s their mortgage, their prices. I’m not prepared ever to let that be inflicted on Scotland ever again.
“That’s why I’m absolutely clear on my priority, which is the safety and security of everybody in Scotland and making sure that we never have the prospect in Scotland again of a Westminster government that blows up their finances.”
On defence spending, the prime minister said this was a “once in a generation reform”, which would include the building of six new munitions factories in the UK, investment in new technology including drones, and 12 new attack submarines.
He added: “We are moving to warfighting readiness as the central purpose of our armed forces. When we are being directly threatened by states with advanced military forces, the most effective way to deter them is to be ready – and frankly to show them that we’re ready to deliver peace through strength.”
Holyrood Newsletters
Holyrood provides comprehensive coverage of Scottish politics, offering award-winning reporting and analysis: Subscribe