Good morning. What dispute has lasted longer than the Hundred Years’ War? The ongoing disagreement between the Ministry of Defence and the Treasury regarding defence spending. Credit goes to colleague Dan Sabbagh, the Guardian defence and security editor, who discussed this ahead of the G7 meeting in France. Keir Starmer arrived yesterday for what may be his final international summit. The prime minister faces open talks on global partnerships amid conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, both potentially requiring greater British military involvement. The political debate over whether the UK spends enough for national security and commitments became public with defence minister John Healey’s resignation last Thursday. It continues as Al Carns, who stepped down as armed forces minister the same day, tells the Guardian in an interview about significant waste at the MoD. He proposes ending mismanaged programmes such as tank investments in favour of new technology. The departure of two respected ministers, one reportedly interested in a Downing Street role, further weakens the prime minister ahead of Andy Burnham’s possible return to the Commons if he wins this week’s Makerfield by-election. Discussion covered how the funding argument exposes domestic and international uncertainties about Starmer’s leadership, Britain’s global role and evolving warfare. Middle East: Donald Trump stated the Strait of Hormuz will be fully open from Friday, as G7 leaders in Évian-les-Bains worked to prevent the US-Iran deal from collapsing. UK politics: Kim Leadbeater, sister of Jo Cox and now a Labour MP, said political hatred in Britain exceeds levels seen during the Brexit referendum when Cox was killed. Crime: A teacher described as a serial manipulator and liar was convicted of sexually abusing and murdering an adopted baby. Environment: Half the world’s children face at least three overlapping climate hazards affecting health, education and survival, per a Unicef report. US news: Eight people are presumed dead after a B-52 bomber crashed after takeoff Monday at a California air force base. In depth: Starmer’s defence spending gap. Lobby correspondents note some MPs value his international record. Dan says Starmer succeeded with Ukraine support and keeping Britain out of the US-Israel action on Iran. He also managed difficulties as a Labour prime minister facing a volatile US administration. Starmer has not resolved Britain’s strategic global position amid instability. At the Munich Security Conference he described an opportunity for radical renewal and a stronger European Nato. These elements indicate the need for higher defence spending to reach the 3.5% GDP Nato target by 2035 that Starmer endorsed. Instead there is a modest rise to 2.6% by 2027 followed by uncertainty. Healey resigned over long-term spending principles and because the prime minister appears weak. Constrained by fiscal rules, the Treasury has little flexibility beyond reallocating funds. Starmer has limited support among ministers. The dilemma involves not only future spending but also existing international commitments. Spending is often framed as a choice between welfare and defence. Lord Robertson noted Britain cannot be defended with an ever-expanding welfare budget.
