Labour: Reboot defence plans, reinforce Ukraine and rearm Britain

Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey will argue that the government must reboot defence plans and boost military production to sustain support to Ukraine and rearm Britain. 

In a major speech today (Tuesday 7 February) hosted by defence and security think-tank RUSI, Mr Healey will set out three key steps the government must take to protect Britain in its update of the Integrated Review, due to be published in March. 

Mr Healey will argue that Conservative Ministers must:

1. Boost military production

Set out a stockpiles strategy to maintain military help to Ukraine and replenish our Armed Forces, reform defence procurement, and publish a 2023 Action Plan for Ukraine. 

2. Secure Britain as NATO’s leading European nation

Give the highest priority to security in Europe, the Atlantic and the Arctic – our NATO area, ensure our UK commitments to the alliance are fulfilled in full and halt further cuts to the British Army.

3. Rebuild relationships with our European allies

Fix their post-Brexit blind spot over Europe to seek a security pact with the EU and new defence agreements with leading European allies like Germany to make Brexit work and keep Europe safe.

Mr Healey will argue for a “stockpiles strategy” to overhaul a “wasteful peacetime procurement system” and gear up domestic industry to maintain UK military help to Ukraine and restock weapons and ammunition for our own armed forces.

He will say “We need to shift parts of our defence industry and MoD procurement on to an urgent operational footing, both to support Ukraine for the long-term and to replenish UK stocks for any future conflict”. 

The Labour Defence chief said that this effort must be part of a long-term plan of military, economic and humanitarian support for Ukraine, which should be published before the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion on 24 February “to signal to Putin that things will get worse, not better for Russia.”  

“The next government will inherit the Ukraine conflict and Russia’s wider aggression. With a General Election, there may be a change to Labour but there will be no change to Britain’s resolve in confronting Russia’s threats, pursuing Putin’s crimes and standing with Ukraine,” he will say.

Healey will challenge the government to “secure Britain as NATO’s leading European nation” and ensure the UK’s obligations to the alliance are “fulfilled in full.” Labour in government would conduct a “NATO test” on major projects during its first 100 days to ensure Britain is on track to meet its NATO commitments. This commitment, he will say, should include confirmation that further cuts to British army numbers will be “halted.”

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has conceded that the armed forces had been “hollowed out and underfunded” on his watch. Mr Healey will say this is an “admission of failure over 13 years of Conservative government."

Mr Healey confirmed Labour would conduct and publish a Strategic Defence and Security Review within its first year in government. 

Ends

Notes

• John Healey will deliver the speech on Tuesday, 7 February at 6pm at the Institute of Directors, hosted by RUSI. It will be followed by a Q&A hosted by RUSI Associate Fellow and TimesRadio Chief Political Commentator Lucy Fisher.