The top four questions in a row from journalists at the launch of the Strategic Defence Review were: “How can you pledge all of this without a date on which you will reach 3% of spending on defence?” Starmer dodged every time…
The SDR’s authors have relied on the “vital” path to 3% for their recommendations, all 62 of which Starmer has accepted. They are now in jeopardy…
Starmer eventually said he is “100% confident” the 3% target will be reached by the end of the next parliament all while refusing to pledge it in any formal capacity. Date but no date…
The argument that “putting arbitrary dates” on the delivery of the commitment makes no sense if Labour is claiming it is ‘confident’ that a target on a specific date will be met. Another communications shambles now defining Downing Street’s media grid…
In Henry Mance’s piece today for the FT, lunching with Nigel Farage:
“Splendido!” Farage says, when the drinks arrive; I suppose it’s a step to European reconciliation. We clink glasses, and he lights the first of two back-to-back Benson & Hedges. A few minutes later, we’re back downstairs. “Are you drinking? Good.” He orders a glass of Sauvignon blanc for each of us — not a bottle, “because it’s Lent” — followed by a bottle of claret, to have with our meal. They say Farage drinks less than he used to. They say a lot of things.”