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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Libby Brooks

Tuesday briefing: How the UK’s military spending row exposes Starmer’s defence dilemma

Keir Starmer with British troops during a 2022 visit to Estonia.
Keir Starmer with British troops during a 2022 visit to Estonia. Photograph: Victoria Jones/PA

Good morning. What conflict has raged longer than the hundred years war? The fight between the Ministry of Defence and the Treasury over defence spending.

I’d love to claim this as my own, but avoid patter theft this early in the day. So I’ll credit my colleague Dan Sabbagh, the Guardian’s defence and security editor, who spoke to me ahead of this week’s G7 meeting, in France, where Keir Starmer arrived yesterday for what could be his final international summit. The prime minister can anticipate candid discussions about international partnerships in conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, both of which may soon demand increased involvement from the British military.

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