Lord Robertson Latest Speech

Lord Robertson, the ex-Labour defence secretary who is the author of the government’s Strategic Defence Review, accused “non-military experts in the Treasury” of “vandalism”, in a speech delivered on 14^th of April.

The SDR was prepared by the June 2025 but the 10-year investment plan to fund it has been delayed and as noted by Lord Robertson in his interview with the Financial Times, the prime minister was “not willing to make necessary investment”.

Lord Robertson, highlighted in his speech that “We cannot defend Britain with an ever-expanding welfare budget”, “We are under-prepared. We are under-insured. We are under attack. We are not safe… Britain’s national security and safety is in peril”. he emphasised that “There is a corrosive complacency today in Britain’s political leadership. Lip service is paid to the risks, the threats, the bright red signals of danger – but even a promised national conversation about defence can’t be started”.

A key government advisor also noted that international threats were “no longer theoretical nor they are distant from our shores”, referencing a speech delivered by Sir Keir earlier this month regarding Russia’s preparedness to attack Nato by the end of the decade, Lord Robertson claiming that deadline was in just three years and that should be a “bright red warning to all of us”.

Lord Robertson previously addressed the UBBC reception last autumn. Specifically, he spoke of the ingenuity, capability, and resilience of the Ukrainians, and how essential it is for the UK to support Ukraine in all ways, especially militarily. He discussed the strategic defence review and said that we cannot theorise about helping Ukraine as all of us need to make tangible and concrete actions to support Ukraine and defend democracy – the same remarks to the government of the UK.

While referring to the latest speech delivered by Lord Robertson in relation to the criticism of the UK’s defence strategy, it is worth to note the recent defence agreement between Ukraine and Germany worth 4 billion Euros, which covers several hundred Patriot missiles, 36 IRIS-T launchers, and 300 million Euros for deep-strike capabilities. Additionally, the package includes the joint production of 5,000 AI-enabled mid-range strike drones and other advanced systems. The package is described by President Zelenskyy as the largest of its kind in Europe. Such cooperation between Ukraine and Germany again reminds us of the significance of the UK’s previously essential support for Ukraine, which now may leave the UK on the sidelines of future military decisions.