Labour leader Keir Starmer made a bold pledge to uphold the UK’s submarine-based nuclear weapons programme, ensuring the country’s continuous at-sea deterrent and committing to building new nuclear submarines. Despite criticism from the Conservative defence secretary regarding shadow cabinet members’ previous votes against nuclear weapon replacement, Starmer remains steadfast in his commitment.
While the cost of the programme is significant and could potentially increase, both Labour and the Conservatives have committed to allocating 2.5% of the UK’s GDP to defence spending. However, concerns remain about the impact on other military budgets and the overall affordability of the programme.
Starmer’s unwavering support for the nuclear programme has sparked debate about the allocation of resources and the prioritization of security over social services. As the UK heads into an election, the long-term sustainability of the nuclear weapons programme hinges on potential cost overruns and the country’s fiscal policies.