Penny Mordaunt Criticizes Labour on Defence Spending

Penny Mordaunt, a former Tory leadership contender, has expressed strong concerns regarding the government's approach to defence spending, particularly in light of Labour's upcoming budget announcement on October 30. In an op-ed for The Independent, Mordaunt emphasized that this budget represents a critical opportunity for Labour to affirm the UK's commitment to national and collective security. She warned that insufficient investment in defence could undermine the UK's reliability as a partner on the global stage, potentially leading to severe repercussions. Mordaunt highlighted the timing of the budget, noting that it will be unveiled just six days before the US elections, a period when American defence firms are experiencing unprecedented demand reminiscent of the Cold War era. She cautioned that reduced UK defence spending would increase reliance on foreign allies, which could jeopardize national interests. The former minister stressed the importance of a robust defence strategy to ensure that allies remain committed to mutual security. In response to Mordaunt's claims, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) asserted that the government is dedicated to enhancing Britain's defence capabilities, aiming to increase spending to 2.5% of GDP as soon as feasible. However, Labour has yet to specify a timeline for achieving this target, despite its commitment to the same spending level. A Labour source criticized former Conservative ministers for attempting to deflect responsibility for the current challenges, asserting that the new government will address the issues inherited from its predecessor and develop a credible plan for defence funding.