Burnham calls for ‘more open’ public debate about defence spending – UK politics live

Published 9 July 2026 · politics

Next Labour leader, who is set to be elected unopposed, outlines foreign policy principles largely in line with Starmer Burnham promises he will not use

Next Labour leader, who is set to be elected unopposed, outlines foreign policy principles largely in line with Starmer Burnham promises he will not use party discipline to stifle debate Good morning. Andy Burnham is due to become Labour leader a week tomorrow and, as nominations open for a leadership election that will not happen because Burnham is set to be elected unopposed, we are learning a bit more about how he intends to lead his party and his country. Yesterday, in a letter to Labour MPs, Burnham told them he would never use party discipline to “stifle debate” and said they should raise problems and policy ideas “without fear or favour”. Jessica Elgot has the story here. Burnham says he wants a “more open” public debate and scrutiny of defence spending. He says Doing politics differently means levelling with the public, engaging them in decisions and ensuring more social value in return for increased government spending.

I want to be more open with the public about how and where defence funding is spent. For our biggest defence and infrastructure projects, I want to see more detailed, public progress updates, with more transparency and accountability to tackle cost overruns or delays before they spiral out of control. Our increased investment must be combined with an increase in scrutiny. Burnham confirms he will keep Jonathan Powell in place as national security adviser. He says national security will be his “first priority if I become prime minister”. He says he wants to use higher defence investment to boost economic growth. In response to the evolving threats we face, and as we meet our Nato commitments, it is right that we rebuild our hard power for a new era that is very different to the one in which much of our current military equipment was first designed.

Crucially, as we do so, I want to ensure we back British workers and businesses. This means we must go much further than ever before through the defence investment plan in backing British resilience, using a sustained increase in defence investment not only to provide the kit our armed forces need, but also to generate economic growth and create apprenticeships and jobs in communities that have seen opportunities drain away … Burnham says he wants an “even closer relationship” with European countries on defence. I want an even closer relationship with countries across Europe, working more through European-led groupings, such as the E3 (the UK, France and Germany), strengthening the European pillar in Nato and breaking down any barriers to defence industrial co-operation. But he also says he wants the UK’s relationship with the US to remain “critical”. Our commitment to Nato and the UK’s nuclear deterrent will remain absolute.