Russell Findlay has urged the UK Labour government to keep its promise on defence spending and support vital Scottish engineering and manufacturing businesses.
The Scottish Conservative leader, who today visited the Glasgow factory of defence manufacturer Thales, was addressing reports last week that Sir Keir Starmer may not stick to his pledge to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030.
Mr Findlay accused the Labour government of sending “entirely the wrong message on the global stage”, while also criticising the SNP’s “hostility to the defence sector”.
He also raised the likely impact on Thales of the rise in employer national insurance contributions contained in Rachel Reeves’ budget.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “Security is the most basic duty of all governments and it’s vital we stand firm at this time, when threats to global security are increasing in their number and complexity.
“It was alarming last week to hear that Keir Starmer may break yet another Labour election promise, by delaying a commitment to increase defence spending.
“Dropping this promise would send out entirely the wrong message on the global stage, both to tyrants like Vladimir Putin and to our allies in the US and elsewhere.
“It would also send the wrong message to businesses here who are doing fantastic work to grow our economy and provide exciting opportunities to aspiring workers.
“Scotland is home to some of the best and most innovative defence manufacturers in the world, including Thales. We should be taking advantage of their expertise to safeguard the British people.
“Instead of breaking another promise, Sir Keir Starmer needs to show some common sense and keep his word for a change.
“In Scotland, the SNP must drop its hostility to the defence sector, not least its reckless opposition to our independent nuclear deterrent.
“Like all employers, Thales is also having to contend with Labour’s job tax, which was announced in the budget.”
Notes
https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/sir-keir-starmer-defence-spending-criticism-labour-trump-cb6nrf0tr
https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/sour-grapes-snp-government-failed-34593225