During a forceful speech at Policy Exchange, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sounded the alarm on severe security threats facing Britain over the next five years. Calling it potentially “among the most dangerous” periods in UK history, he laid out a comprehensive strategy to fortify the nation’s defences and foreign policy resolve.
‘Axis of Authoritarians’ Threaten British Interests
Sunak bluntly identified an “axis of authoritarian states” – Russia, Iran, North Korea and China – as aggressively working to undermine British security and values. He cited specific provocations:
- Russia’s Ukraine invasion, chemical attacks, energy blackmail
- Iran’s proxy wars, kidnapping threats over free speech
- North Korea supplying Russia with weapons
- Chinese cyber campaigns targeting MPs, businesses like NHS
The PM warned:
“These are not faraway problems. They pose real risks to our security and prosperity.”
Unprecedented £87 Billion Defence Investment
To counter the intensifying threats, Sunak announced the UK will increase its annual defence budget to a staggering £87 billion – “the biggest strengthening of national defence in a generation.”
Key Defence Spending Priorities:
- Cementing UK’s position as #2 defence power in NATO after US
- If 2.5% of GDP becomes new NATO benchmark, allies would add £140bn
- Ensuring military has resources “to stand up for our interests, deter enemies and defend our values”
The Prime Minister vowed Britain would be “at the forefront of defending the free, democratic world” under his leadership.
Balancing Muscular Policy with Domestic Agenda
While taking a hawkish stance on security, Sunak also outlined his vision for reinvigorating the UK economy and society:
- Investing in infrastructure, R&D, computing power
- Creating skilled jobs to “level up” opportunity nationwide
- Building affordable housing matched to job growth
- Restoring civic pride and national cohesion
He portrayed his government as pursuing “a new British dynamism” by making tough choices to secure families’ futures on both security and domestic fronts.
The speech represented Sunak’s most comprehensive articulation of his governing philosophy and priorities to date. By framing the challenges as existential, he has set high stakes for delivering on his ambitious policy agenda.
For more analysis and updates, visit the Policy Exchange website at www.policyexchange.org.uk.
Sources: THX News, Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street & The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP.
