Andy Burnham vows ‘unwavering’ Nato help amid Russia warning
The new Prime Minister said despite a change in Downing Street, Britain remained steadfast in its support for the military alliance, in the face of growing threats from Russia and China
Andy Burnham vowed support for Nato would be ‘unwavering’(Image: NEIL HALL/POOL/EPA/Shutterstock)
Andy Burnham has vowed the UK’s commitment to Nato is “unwavering” in his first meeting with the bloc’s chief Mark Rutte.
The new PM said despite a change in Downing Street, Britain remained steadfast in its support for the military alliance.
The two met at RAL Space, a research facility in Didcot, Oxfordshire where Mr Rutte praised the UK as a scientific and technological leader within Nato.
Speaking after the meeting with Mr Rutte, the PM said: “There’s been a change of prime minister but never any change in the UK’s unwavering commitment to Nato and our Nato obligations. It’s critical for us always to show our firm commitment to Nato, and that’s what we will be doing today.”
Mr Rutte told him the UK “is one of the leading forces in Nato”, and claimed the UK already had a “huge advantage” in creating jobs and economic growth due to its tech sector and universities.
Wednesday also saw Mr Burnham meet with Canadian PM Mark Carney face-to-face for the first time.
The meeting with the ex-Bank of England governor, who has repeatedly clashed with Donald Trump, comes as Mr Burnham is expected to hold his own high-stakes talks with the US President next week at the UN General Assembly in New York.
The football-mad PM met Mr Carney in Liverpool for official talks, before heading off with his Canadian counterpart to watch Everton face Wolves.
There have also been reports the UK is considering joining a global investment bank, led by Canada, and aimed at increasing funding for defence spending.
Mr Rutte will use a speech later on Wednesday to praise the UK for being “serious about security”.
He will say: “It is leading, along with Nato allies, the push back against Russia ’s dangerous and reckless campaign against us. Collectively we will continue to strengthen our ability to deter and defend all allies, against any threat.
“Nato will not be intimidated by Russia’s campaign of hostile actions. Russia wants to stop us helping Ukraine – but their actions will only lead us to do more for Ukraine. Russia’s actions are a sign of weakness, and a symptom of Putin’s failure in Ukraine.”
Nato allies have agreed to hike spending on security to 5% of economic output by 2035 including the 3.5% target on core defence spending, amid growing threats from Russia and China, along with demands from the White House.
