Labour Party Leader Sir Keir Starmer used the first keynote speech of his general election campaign to rebut accusations by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that he could not be trusted with the country’s national security at a time of growing threats from Russia, China and Iran.
Speaking at an event in Lancing, West Sussex, on Monday, Sir Keir said, “The very foundation of any good government is economic security, border security, national security.”
“Make no mistake, if the British people give us the opportunity to serve, then this is their core test. It is always their core test. The definition of service. Can you protect this country? added Sir Keir, who was a lawyer and director of public prosecutions before he turned to politics.
He added, “They’re fed-up with the failure, chaos and division of the Tories, but they still have questions about us: ‘has Labour changed enough?’ ‘Do I trust them with my money, our borders, our security?’”
“My answer is yes, you can, because I have changed this party, permanently,” added Sir Keir.
Mr. Sunak has made a great deal in recent weeks of tensions in Ukraine, the Middle East and Taiwan and the apparent increase in cyber threat from China and Russia, and has suggested he was the best person to entrust the country’s security to at this time.
But Sir Keir said he could be trusted on security and claimed 14 years of Conservative “chaos” had led to a “crisis” in the national culture.
He said: “Elections are about more than individual changes and policies, but about values, temperament, character and a bigger question: whose side are you on? Who do you hold in your mind’s eye when you are making decisions?”
If Labour wins in seats like East Worthing and Shoreham it will be on course for a big majority in Parliament.
National Service Dismissed as ‘Teenage Dad’s Army’
He said, “The desperation of this national service policy—a teenage dad’s army—paid for by cancelling levelling-up funding and money from tax avoidance that we would use to invest in our NHS.Mr. Sunak immediately hit back at Sir Keir’s speech and said, “Our country needs bold action, not waffle.”
Conservative Party Chairman Richard Holden said Sir Keir’s speech was “wearisome and rambling” with “no policy, no substance, and no plan.”
The unveiling of the national service policy seems to have taken many Tory candidates by surprise.
Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker, writing on social media, said the national service plan had been “sprung” on Tory candidates.
He said: “Government policy would have been developed by ministers on the advice of officials and collectively agreed. I would have had a say on behalf of N.I. (Northern Ireland).”
“But this proposal was developed by a political adviser or advisers and sprung on candidates, some of whom are relevant ministers,” added Mr. Baker.
But Mr. Sunak defended the policy.
During a campaign stop in Buckinghamshire, the prime minister said, “This modern form of national service will mean that young people get the skills and the opportunities that they need which is going to serve them very well in life.”
Lib Dems Targeting SNP Seats
The Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey used Bank Holiday Monday to launch his Scottish campaign and promised his party would overtake the SNP and become the third biggest grouping in Parliament, a position it lost at the 2015 election.Sir Ed said the Lib Dems would be targeting SNP marginals like Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire, and Mid Dunbartonshire, on July 4.
Mid Dunbartonshire has been created from the redrawing of boundaries and largely comprises of East Dunbartonshire, a seat the Lib Dems lost to the SNP in 2015, won back again in 2017 and lost again in 2019, that time with a majority of just 149 votes.
Speaking at the party’s launch in North Queensferry in Fife, Sir Ed said, “I believe we can make gains here in Scotland just as we’re going to make gains against the Conservatives in England.”
“I think we can have more liberals in Parliament after this election,” he added.
