'Think like a wartime PM': E military chief sets 'Moscow test' for Andy Burnham after Keir Starmer's exit

Published 28 June 2026 · politics

Andy Burnham 'Makerfield test' must be matched by a 'Moscow test' 'Almost a wartime prime minister' Pressure grows over defence spending Defence plan at centre

Andy Burnham 'Makerfield test' must be matched by a 'Moscow test' 'Almost a wartime prime minister' Pressure grows over defence spending Defence plan at centre of political storm Government insists security remains top priority Andy Burnham will need to apply a "Moscow test" to his policies and govern "almost like a wartime prime minister" if he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer, former Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin has warned.The intervention comes at a critical moment for Britain's defence policy, with the government preparing to unveil its long-awaited Defence Investment Plan (DIP) ahead of next month's Nato summit in Turkey.Burnham, widely seen as the frontrunner to replace Starmer, recently vowed that future government decisions would have to pass a "Makerfield test", a reference to the constituency he won earlier this month, aimed at ensuring policies benefit communities beyond London.But Sir Tony argued that domestic priorities alone would not be enough for Britain's next leader."As well as having the Makerfield test, I would say it's the Moscow test," he told the BBC."What do we look like to Moscow?

Do we look like a strong member of the Nato alliance? Do we look like a strong nuclear power? Do we look like a strong ally of America? Because those are the elements that keep us safe."Delivering a direct message to Burnham, the former military chief said the UK's next prime minister would shoulder an extraordinary responsibility at a time of heightened global instability."It is keep our country safe, acknowledge that you have this extraordinary responsibility — so you're almost like a wartime prime minister at the moment," Sir Tony said."That means you need to invest in what really keeps us safe."In a separate warning published in The Sunday Times, Sir Tony reportedly reminded the prospective prime minister of the gravity of Britain's nuclear deterrent responsibilities, saying the

country's leader must never lose sight of the threats facing the nation.Sir Tony also urged the next government to honour the pledge to raise defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP by 2035, warning that Britain's military capabilities remain "too bare".He said additional funding was needed not only for new weapons systems but also for day-to-day military readiness, including maintenance, ammunition stocks and operational availability of ships, aircraft and armoured vehicles."All of that at the moment is too bare," he said.The former defence chief cautioned that failing to meet spending commitments could strain Britain's standing within Nato and damage relations with the United States.The remarks come amid continuing controversy over the government's defence funding plans.Earlier this month, defence secretary John Healey and armed forces minister Al Carns