Former Nato Chief to Say UK’s National Security ‘in Peril’
Lord George Robertson, a former NATO secretary general and architect of the government’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR), is set to deliver a speech that criticizes current political leadership for a lack of urgency in addressing national defense. He will accuse “non-military experts” within the Treasury of undermining security efforts, calling their actions “vandalism” and emphasizing the growing risks to Britain.
While the government has pledged to release a 10-year defense spending plan to support the SDR’s goals, the timeline for its publication has been pushed back multiple times. A spokesperson defended the strategy, stating it benefits from “the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War,” with over £270 billion allocated over the current parliamentary term.
“We cannot defend Britain through a growing welfare budget,” Robertson will argue in his address. “Britain’s national security and safety is in peril.” He will highlight the country’s lack of preparedness, insufficient funding, and ongoing threats, urging a more decisive approach.
Some analysts have questioned the UK’s readiness for recent conflicts, such as the Middle East tensions that began on 28 February with a US-Israeli strike on Iran. Despite this, the head of the British military, Sir Richard Knighton, recently told the BBC that the situation is “probably the most dangerous time of the last 30 years.” He also noted the government’s decision to deploy a Royal Navy vessel to Cyprus to safeguard the RAF Akrotiri base, which faced drone attacks.
With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the re-election of President Donald Trump, NATO members face renewed pressure to raise defense budgets. Robertson’s intervention adds to the debate, warning that complacency is eroding the nation’s ability to respond to emerging threats. A government official confirmed the target to spend 3% of GDP on defense by the end of the next parliament, though the path to achieving it remains uncertain.
