Admiral Urges Wartime Stance for Next UK Prime Minister

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said the UK's next prime minister must operate almost like a wartime leader and meet the pledge to raise defense spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035. The BBC reported that Radakin described current military capabilities as too bare and called for a Moscow test of any future policy to ensure Britain appears strong to NATO allies and the United States.

The comments follow the resignations earlier this month of Defence Secretary John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns.

Both left over what they described as insufficient funding in the draft Defence Investment Plan. The Ministry of Defence had sought an extra £28bn through the end of the decade but received an offer of only £10bn, the BBC reported, with all departments now asked to cut budgets to help close the gap. The government has committed to publishing the plan before the NATO summit in Turkey on 7 July.

Andy Burnham, the favorite to succeed Keir Starmer as prime minister after his election to the Makerfield constituency this month, has previously said new laws must pass a Makerfield test. Dan Jarvis, who replaced Healey as defence secretary, told the BBC that national security will remain the first priority of any Labour prime minister.

Jarvis added that he is confident basic policies on keeping the country safe will continue unchanged after any transition.