The UK government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to NATO, pledging a ‘NATO first’ defence strategy in an article written by Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey in The Telegraph ahead of the NATO 75th anniversary summit in Washington DC.
According to a press release, this approach underscores the importance of NATO in ensuring the safety and prosperity of the UK and its allies.
In their joint article, Lammy and Healey highlighted the historical significance of NATO, established 75 years ago by British Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin, who united 12 nations from Western Europe and North America under the principle that “an attack on one is an attack on us all.”
They spoke of the alliance’s expansion to 32 nations and its continued relevance in the face of rising global threats and geopolitical competition.
“The first duty of any government is to keep the country safe and protect its citizens. We cannot have stability and prosperity without security. NATO is therefore the ultimate guarantor of all allies’ ability to live freely and build a secure, more prosperous future for their people,” Lammy and Healey wrote in the press release. They further stated: “Our government’s commitment to NATO is therefore unshakeable. We will have a ‘NATO first’ defence strategy. European security will be our foreign and defence priority. Our commitment to Britain’s nuclear deterrent is absolute.”
The ministers also reiterated the government’s promise to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP as soon as possible and called on all NATO allies to adopt this new target. “We will increase spending to 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible, whilst arguing all NATO allies should adopt this as a new defence target. And we will launch a Strategic Defence Review, so we are fighting fit to defend against any adversary,” they wrote.
Highlighting the strategic threats posed by Russia, Lammy and Healey underscored the necessity of strengthening defences to deter President Vladimir Putin and supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
They noted their pre-election visits to Kyiv, where they assured Ukrainian leaders of the UK’s steadfast support. “We must strengthen our defences to deter Putin effectively. And we must reinvigorate our support for the brave people of Ukraine, as they defend their freedom against Vladimir Putin’s new form of fascism,” the article stated.
The ministers also discussed the importance of revitalising relations with European partners to address the current security challenges. They pointed to recent visits to Germany, Poland, and Sweden, which aimed to bolster support for Ukraine and explore further collaboration with European allies. “We have begun discussions about how we can do more with European partners. Bilaterally, we will leverage our tightly connected defence industries to strengthen our defences and support Ukraine,” they wrote.
Looking beyond Europe, the article mentioned the UK’s commitment to strengthening other alliances that enhance British security. This includes fully realising the potential of AUKUS, the trilateral security partnership with Australia and the United States. The ministers expressed their determination to ensure Britain remains a formidable and reliable ally, building the foundations for an era of renewal. “As we, alongside Keir Starmer, look to reconnect Britain on the world stage, we will be fully committed to strengthening other alliances that enhance British security in this increasingly insecure world. We will ensure AUKUS, the trilateral security partnership with Australia and the United States, fully delivers its potential,” they wrote.
Reflecting on the legacy of Ernest Bevin, Lammy and Healey concluded with a call for unity among those who believe in freedom and international law, quoting Bevin’s vision of peace and security for future generations. They pledged that the spirit of Bevin would live on in the new government, guiding its efforts to maintain a strong and reconnected Britain.
“Those who believe in freedom and international law must stand together, stand for what’s right – just as Bevin did 75 years ago,” they wrote. “Under our government, Britain will be confident in our purpose, clear-eyed about the challenges and determined to invest in our collective strength.”