Labour MSP Neil Bibby on the PM's defence commitment

PRIME Minister Keir Starmer’s latest defence announcement makes clear his government’s commitment to the protection of our continent in a changing world.

Speaking in Glasgow, Mr Starmer revealed a number of wide-ranging measures his government will be taking in response to the recent publication of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review.

Measures include the building of 12 new attack submarines, six new munitions factories and up to 7,000 long range missiles and drones.

The navy is set to be overhauled with the aim of improving flexibility and defending underwater infrastructure.

And a new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command will defend against modern threats in cyberspace while embracing technologies like artificial intelligence.

These actions will bring enormous benefit to everyone in the United Kingdom.

Economically, more military manufacturing within the UK will bring jobs and investment across the country, including in Scotland. But the measures are also absolutely necessary for bolstering our country’s defences in the face of growing threats abroad.

Readers need no reminder about the uncertainty the UK and its allies have been facing for years now, especially from Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine – the biggest conflict in Europe since the Second World War – has put our security at significant risk.

It has also exposed the weaknesses in our country’s defences which have been in desperate need of attention for a long time.

I am glad that the new UK Labour Government is now providing this attention and taking major corrective action.

This is especially true considering the SNP Scottish Government’s own apparent lack of interest in the issue.

Readers may be aware that a specialist welding skills centre due to be set up in Scotland is currently at risk because it may not have access to Scottish Government investment.

Speaking on the issue, SNP cabinet minister Mairi Gougeon stated that her government has a policy of not providing public funding for munitions.

This is an utterly bizarre situation: the need for a strong military is clear, but the SNP Scottish Government seems to believe that it should not have weapons.

As Scottish Labour’s Deputy Leader, Jackie Baillie, recently said, what then are we supposed to defend the country with?

Instead of facing up to the challenges of defence, the SNP is burying its head in the sand and failing to help protect the people of Scotland.

And if the SNP Scottish Government will not step up, then it is even more vital that the UK Labour Government has stepped in.

The issue of defence may have a special resonance for readers in North Ayrshire, as it follows Scotland’s first ever Veterans’ Day, which was held here recently.

The day, organised by Councillor Jim Montgomerie, who is also North Ayrshire's Veterans’ Champion, took place in Saltcoats on Wednesday, May 27.

With a ceremony in the Town Hall followed by a parade ending at the war memorial, the day was hailed as a great success.

I would like to congratulate Cllr Montgomerie for making the event happen, which I am sure will set an example to local authorities across the country.

Both Cllr Montgomerie’s and the Labour UK Government’s actions show what is possible when our armed forces are given proper support.