The UK's nuclear deterrent is the “bedrock” of Labour's plan to
keep Britain safe, Keir Starmer says today, as he makes a
landmark visit to Barrow-in-Furness.
The visit is the first of any Labour leader in over 30
years to see Britain's nuclear submarines being built in Barrow.
Starmer will be accompanied by Labour's Shadow Defence Secretary
John Healey.
Starmer and Healey will today focus on enhancing Britain's
economic security through a major boost to jobs and skills in
defence - in particular for Barrow-in-Furness and other
communities in the UK's nuclear supply chain. Labour in
Government will use defence procurement to strengthen UK security
and economic growth - making it fundamental to direct British
defence investment first to British business, with a higher bar
set for any decisions to buy abroad.
Speaking to workers, union members and apprentices at the Barrow
shipyard, Starmer will add that the UK's nuclear submarines will
provide “vital protection for the UK and our NATO allies in the
years ahead, as well as supporting thousands of high paying jobs
across the UK.”
The Labour leader will also use the visit to affirm Labour's
total commitment to the AUKUS security pact, pledging “new UK
leadership” within the UK-Australia-US alliance to ensure that
Britain's role within AUKUS “should not only defend our shared
interests, but ramp up local jobs and growth in communities
across Britain.” Australian High Commissioner to the UK, Stephen
Smith, will also join Starmer and Healey in Barrow.
Starmer recently announced that Labour will deliver a ‘local
growth plan' for every area in England, to harness the strengths
of different communities, such as those with links to defence.
The party has also announced plans for new Technical Excellence
Colleges to develop the skills needed to turbocharge local
growth.
Labour is set to campaign on its commitment to the nuclear
deterrent in key communities in the nuclear supply chain. These
include seats such as: Plymouth Moor View, home to the Devonport
shipyard; Filton and Bradley Stoke, home of Abbey Wood; Derby
North and South, home to Rolls Royce's Raynesway site; and
Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber, home to HMNB Clyde.
Keir Starmer MP, Leader of the Labour Party,
said:
“The changed Labour Party I lead knows that our nation's defence
must always come first. Labour's commitment to our nuclear
deterrent is total.
“In the face of rising global threats and growing Russian
aggression, the UK's nuclear deterrent is the bedrock of Labour's
plan to keep Britain safe. It will ensure vital protection for
the UK and our NATO allies in the years ahead, as well as
supporting thousands of high paying jobs across the
UK.
“Countless families in Barrow and across Britain have built a
secure future over decades of hard work building our defences. I
want that to continue for the decades to come.
“That's why we are fully backing AUKUS submarines to be built in
Barrow, too. And it's why Labour will ensure that new UK
leadership within AUKUS helps make this national endeavour a
success for Britain.”
John Healey MP, Labour's Shadow Defence Secretary,
said:
“Pride is the overwhelming feeling of defence industry workers,
especially those in Barrow building our vital nuclear submarines.
They are essential in securing Britain's defences for the
future”.
“A strong defence industrial strategy will be hardwired into
Labour's Mission 1 in Government to drive economic growth across
the UK. We will make it fundamental to direct defence investment
first to British jobs and British industry.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- On BAE Systems in Barrow, Keir
Starmer and John Healey will meet BAE staff and military
personnel, including a Q&A with workers and
apprentices.
- Keir Starmer is the first Labour Party leader in over 30
years to see Britain's nuclear submarines being built in
Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, according to BAE records.
-
Labour fully backed AUKUS when it was announced in
2021. John Healey has called for UK leadership to
develop the three-nation partnership.
