Lib Dems: Starmer ruling out defence bonds “deeply disappointing and underscores an embarrassing lack of imagination”

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Responding to the Prime Minister’s Spokesperson ruling out issuing defence bonds to fund an uplift in defence spending, Liberal Democrat Defence Spokesperson James MacCleary MP said:

“This is deeply disappointing and underscores an embarrassing - and dangerous - lack of imagination from Ministers. No wonder the Defence Secretary and Armed Forces Minister resigned over this mess. We need clarity, we need funding, and we need it now. The Liberal Democrats will continue to push the Prime Minister, whoever that may be, in the coming months, for the robust solutions required to keep Britain safe.

"The Liberal Democrats’ plan for defence bonds would raise £20 billion over two years and provide a secure, ring-fenced way to rapidly strengthen our sovereign capability and end this inexcusable era of stagnation. By ruling them out, the Prime Minister is showing a staggering lack of ambition at a time when our national security demands bold thinking.

"As we face the most dangerous geopolitical landscape in a generation, our defences are depleted, our troops are under-resourced, and the Defence Investment Plan is nowhere to be found. The Government needs to get serious.”

ENDS