Wes Streeting: Britain and Europe must get out of ‘defensive crouch’
U.K. defense secretary dismissed assertions that the U.S. was disengaging from Europe despite America reviewing its capabilities across the continent.
LIVERPOOL, England—Defense Secretary Wes Streeting urged Britain and Europe to cease their "defensive crouch" in an address on Monday, arguing that U.S. pressure on European allies will ultimately lead to a stronger Europe. Addressing the POLITICO Pub at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, Streeting contended that America's frustration with Europe's "over-reliance" on the U.S. has not been unique to the Trump administration.
The defense secretary dismissed the notion that the U.S. is disengaging from Europe, stating he has experienced the opposite—despite the ongoing U.S. review of troop and capability withdrawals from the continent. Relations between Britain and the U.S. deteriorated towards the end of Keir Starmer's time as prime minister after Britain refused to provide the U.S. with military support for its war with Iran, including the full utilization of British military bases for strikes against Iran. The upcoming Labour government under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham aims to mend this alliance.
One of the challenges facing the incoming administration is raising defense spending to record post-World War II levels. Currently, Britain is not on track to meet its NATO commitment of spending 3.5% of GDP on defense by 2030, lacking a costed plan to achieve this goal. Ahead of next month's budget, Streeting claims Chancellor John Healey is not resistant to the idea of increasing defense spending, as he resigned on this issue as a matter of principle.
"I don't want any complacency," Streeting added, emphasizing that simply submitting Healey's resignation letter would not suffice as a response to the spending review.
Stressing that complacency cannot be tolerated, Streeting noted that he no longer receives inquiries about cutting waste and bureaucracy, despite procurement challenges plaguing the Ministry of Defence. He also declined to provide further details regarding Donald Trump's comments on the arrest of five Britons suspected of planning a terrorist attack near RAF Fairford on Sunday, except to thank the farmer who reported suspicious activity to the police.
Streeting emphasized that he has only a partial understanding of the situation and thanked the government and the president of the United States for the work of the police, Counter Terrorism Policing, and security services in keeping the public safe. He also rejected the notion that Britain's closeness to the U.S. has made it a target for potential attacks, stating that the alliance makes the U.K. safer, not less safe.
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