Starmer rebukes Trump

Whitewavemark2

I’m not sure, after reading what Starmer said, what else people want him to do?

As a side note. Fertiliser will be severely hit if this goes on, making crops more difficult to grow or smaller. Looking to the future this will impact our cost of living.

But who does war benefit ? I am no economist, and I ask the question seriously.

I’m not sure, after reading what Starmer said, what else people want him to do?

As a side note. Fertiliser will be severely hit if this goes on, making crops more difficult to grow or smaller. Looking to the future this will impact our cost of living.

Oreo

Have you worked in a care home Basgetti with some very elderly residents with many physical needs and some with dementia? There is no time for political opinions nor should there be.

You are a good person, Oreo. However I am less sure you are good at politics.

Wyllow3

Here you go

www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-remarks-on-the-situation-in-the-middle-east-5-march-2026#:~:text=My%20focus%20is%20providing%20calm,To%20protect%20our%20people.&text=No%20matter%20the%20pressure%20to%20do%20otherwise.

And I agree with nearly every word.

Whatever path he took, he would have been "damned if he did, damned if he didnt".

I agree with every word too.
And is good to see that Starmer is prepared to stand by his principles with regard to this, something other leaders seem to think are disposable in today’s political climate.
And despite the barrage of childish insults Trump has levelled his way, now insisting on calling Starmer a loser at every opportunity.
I was no fan of his previously and have not traditionally voted Labour but credit where credit is due.
The man does have a spine.
Well done him 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

agaa4

I seem to remember that during the last crises - covid - the official opposition supported the government as far as was possible. Standing together in a crises.

Mind you the Tories are so insignificant these days that it hardly matters really, particularly as they are responsible for the parlous state of our defences.

Thank you for the link Wyllow. In a time of war surely it's better if we stand together and not make unfounded accusations against the government.
As the information on defence spending provide by Casdon shows the lack of spending on defence by the Tories has caused the UK to be weakened. Labour is trying to rectify this.
I believe Keir Starmer is doing the right thing by taking defensive action only.

Here you go

www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-remarks-on-the-situation-in-the-middle-east-5-march-2026#:~:text=My%20focus%20is%20providing%20calm,To%20protect%20our%20people.&text=No%20matter%20the%20pressure%20to%20do%20otherwise.

And I agree with nearly every word.

Whatever path he took, he would have been "damned if he did, damned if he didnt".

Yesterday the Gov UK website added a statement by the PM on how he has reacted to the situation between Iran the US and Israel, both before and after the attacks, and why, and what defences are in place.
Given the amount of criticism he is facing, some of it ill-informed, I suggest everyone should read that for information from source, unfiltered by media.
Sorry I can't add a link, as my pc is being difficult and I am typing this on an old phone.

Here’s the House of Commons Briefing Paper which gives projected spending and some insights into the previous decline in defence spending. In light of what’s happening in the world now, it takes a strong stomach to read, the comparison with other countries is interesting because it’s clear the greater the perceived threat the great proportion of the nation’s budget is allocated to defence, as you’d expect.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8175/

Casdon

Sorry, I wasn’t addressing that to you Allira, it was a general point I thought was relevant to the many criticisms about UK defence capacity and response..

No, I was slowly writing my post and you were there before me
Mind reader. 😀

Sorry, I wasn’t addressing that to you Allira, it was a general point I thought was relevant to the many criticisms about UK defence capacity and response..

X post!!

Casdon

It might be helpful to look at UK spending on defence.

2024/25: £60.2 billion (approx. +7.7% in real terms over 2023/24)
2023/24: £53.9 billion
2022/23: £52.8 billion
2021/22: £45.9 billion
2020/21: £42.4 billion
2019/20: £39.8 billion

Blaming the current government for our lack of defence capacity is somewhat ridiculous when significant increases have not happened for years, until 2024/25.

Those figures might go up but what about their correspondence to inflation?

Rate of inflation headline for same period:
Key UK Inflation Data (Annual Average & Key Peaks)
2019: ~1.74% – 1.79%
2020: ~0.85% – 0.99% (COVID-19 pandemic)
2021: ~2.59% (Post-lockdown reopening)
2022: ~9.07% (Average), peaking at 11.1% in Oct 2022
2023: Continued high, decreasing late in the year
2024: Further decline in the rate
2025/2026: Easing to 3.6% (Oct 2025) and 3.2% (Nov 2025)

Casdon

It might be helpful to look at UK spending on defence.

2024/25: £60.2 billion (approx. +7.7% in real terms over 2023/24)
2023/24: £53.9 billion
2022/23: £52.8 billion
2021/22: £45.9 billion
2020/21: £42.4 billion
2019/20: £39.8 billion

Blaming the current government for our lack of defence capacity is somewhat ridiculous when significant increases have not happened for years, until 2024/25.

I didn't.

I said Years of cutting back on our defence

It might be helpful to look at UK spending on defence.

2024/25: £60.2 billion (approx. +7.7% in real terms over 2023/24)
2023/24: £53.9 billion
2022/23: £52.8 billion
2021/22: £45.9 billion
2020/21: £42.4 billion
2019/20: £39.8 billion

Blaming the current government for our lack of defence capacity is somewhat ridiculous when significant increases have not happened for years, until 2024/25.

Looking up the figures.

Defence spending fell by a whopping 22% during the Cameron years. Our military personnel fell from 102k to 70+k. The subsequent Tory governments were forced to spend more because if NATO and Ukraine.

But make no mistake, the Tories hollowed out our defences, and it will take time and a lot of money to recuperate the loses.

Sorry, to clarify, the 1977 Spithead Review.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Why has the task of protecting our soldiers and their families on Cyprus has fallen to France, Greece and Spain?

It’s a national embarrassment.

We have about one third (if that) of the RN vessels we had at the time of the Jubilee Spithead review, FGT2.

It’s pathetic isn’t it?

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Why has the task of protecting our soldiers and their families on Cyprus has fallen to France, Greece and Spain?

It’s a national embarrassment.

Years of cutting back on our defence.

John Healey re HMS Dragon:
"It will be here when it is here. Within two weeks". 🤔

Oreo

Whitewavemark2

It is good to see that our closer working with Europe over defence is paying off .

The British air base in Cyprus has had a drone make a hole in one of its hangers. We aren’t talking major destruction here, but European powers have stated that they are working together to secure Europe's interests in the combat zone. So expect to see craft of various nationalities in various locations throughout this region for the duration of the war by USA and Israel on Iran . I assume there is coordinated planning as to what is best deployed where.

Maybe, but not by Starmer, so we need all the help we can get.

Starmer was one of the initiators of this coalition.

Casdon
As you say, we all have our views and so on, and don’t have to take the posts of others seriously and that means everyone on here and all posts including yours and mine.
The difference is, I don’t say, wouldn’t dream of it, that posters may not have the wherewithal to respond thoughtfully!

Whitewavemark2

It is good to see that our closer working with Europe over defence is paying off .

The British air base in Cyprus has had a drone make a hole in one of its hangers. We aren’t talking major destruction here, but European powers have stated that they are working together to secure Europe's interests in the combat zone. So expect to see craft of various nationalities in various locations throughout this region for the duration of the war by USA and Israel on Iran . I assume there is coordinated planning as to what is best deployed where.

Maybe, but not by Starmer, so we need all the help we can get.

Whitewavemark2

Maremia

At least he's not in the Epstein Files.

Nor has he ever cosied up to the Russians.

We expect a bit more in a PM than that.