Thanet has a proud heritage in the defence of our country. This year will be the opportunity to mark the 85th anniversary of the moment when thousands of little ships brought our troops home safely to Ramsgate as part of the evacuation of Dunkirk during the Second World War. It is troubling as we remember such acts of courage, that the world is darkened by danger again.
But since Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, I am proud that the spirit that drove the brave people of Thanet back then is being demonstrated in Britain: we have never wavered from standing by our Ukrainian allies in their fight for freedom and democracy.
The military and economic support we continue to provide has been instrumental in Ukraine holding back Russia’s advance, while thousands of families – including many in Thanet – have opened their homes and their hearts to Ukrainian refugees.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that the UK’s response to these terrible events has demonstrated the very best of our country. I know many will share my feeling of immense pride to see President Zelenskyy embraced with a hug by the Prime Minister on the steps of Downing Street this week and to be invited to Sandringham for tea with the King.
But there can be no doubt that recent events have ushered in a moment of great peril for Ukraine and raised difficult questions about Britain’s security. I know from the emails flooding into my inbox from residents, many are worried about what the unpredictable actions of President Trump mean for Ukraine’s future, peace in Europe, and for our own national security.
That is why it has been reassuring to see the Prime Minister show such calm and decisive leadership over the past month, standing up for our national interest on the world stage and leading the European response to this enormous new challenge.
His first step was to reaffirm the fundamental principle that in uncertain times we must invest in defence. Labour committed in our manifesto to raising defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, and I am pleased that Keir Starmer has confirmed that the government will hit that target by 2027, and that defence spending will increase again to 3% of GDP by 2033. That is a vital investment not just in our national security, but in our industrial economy.
That commitment also sent an important signal to the US that Britain is determined to show leadership when it comes to European security, and also to our European allies that they must step up too.
The Prime Minister has an immensely difficult task in engaging with President Trump, with whom Britain has considerable disagreements on a number of issues. I am sure you won’t be surprised that as a Labour MP there are many issues on which I and Donald Trump profoundly disagree as well.
But my view is that Britain must continue to engage with America – we cannot simply turn our backs and pretend it isn’t there. For Ukraine’s security, for the threat of tariffs on our economy, and for the future of the transatlantic relationship, we must pursue constructive dialogue.
Through his calm and measured leadership, it is significant that Keir Starmer appears to have won Trump’s ear during his recent visit to the White House without ever compromising on Britain’s national interest or our commitment to the people of Ukraine. It is significant that European leaders are now looking to the Prime Minister for leadership in managing this difficult transatlantic relationship.
The road ahead looks difficult, and there can be no doubt that Britain and Europe will need to step up and take on a bigger role in our collective defence. We know from history that European security is Britain’s security, so I am proud that the government has not wavered from standing up for the principles that have kept us safe for the past eighty years. And of course, we must continue to stand up for our friends and allies in Ukraine as they face down Russian tyranny and fight for the freedom of Europe.