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Has Treasury 'Vandalism' Put the UK's Defence Spending 'In Peril'?

April 14, 2026 · 22 min

Show notes

Former NATO secretary general and former Labour defence secretary Lord Robertson has delivered a speech, criticising 'vandals' at the Treasury for not investing properly in defence spending, and putting the UK's national security 'in peril'.


As Keir Starmer faces pressure to invest more in defence, particularly after the Iran War and HMS Dragon exposed the UK's weaknesses, how serious do we need to get?


Today on Talk War, Julia Hartley-Brewer is joined by Retired British Army colonel Tim Collins OBE to discuss Lord Robertson's comments. He argues that the Government have little understanding of defence and its role in the global order, and that is shown by the Strait of Hormuz blockade and their lack of understanding on why things have gone wrong.


And Julia is also joined by David Patrikarakos. special correspondent at the Daily Mail, who argues that the UK is behind the curve on funding, and they are still stuck in the paradigm of thinking that war looks like it did in WW2.

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