Following Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as Prime Minister and Labour Leader last week, the MP for Kingston and Surbiton, Sir Ed Davey has criticised Starmer's Defence Investment Plan.

On Monday (29 June), the PM said a £15bn increase in military spending will be funded by cutting investment budgets in other areas, as he set out the UK's long-delayed plan to invest in defence.

In one of his final acts as prime minister, Sir Keir said some road and energy projects would not "go ahead as planned" to help raise defence funding to £80bn a year by 2029.

He said the plan would be built on by his successor, widely expected to be Andy Burnham, who is yet to comment on the plan.

In response to Sir Keir's plans, the Lib Dem Leader said: "The small print is out, and it looks like Starmer's Defence Investment Plan is built on fantasy maths - leaving a massive funding gap for Burnham to fix.

"Liberal Democrat plans for Defence Bonds would deliver the real, secure cash boost our forces need."

In a statement, Sir Ed added: "This is Keir Starmer's legacy - a political choice to undermime our security and safety in the world.

"A political choice to leave our miltary heroes in mouldy homes and barracks. And a political choice to put jobs and business investment at risk across the country.

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"Andy Burnham must now listen - there is another way. Liberal Democrat plans for defence bonds £20billion of secure ring-fenced investment to urgently rebuild our military capabilities."

He continued: "The brave men and women who put their lives on the line for our country deserve more than this late underfunded offer."

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