The Prime Minister is at a unique advantage at the Nato summit in Washington and in meeting the US president: he has the goodwill that goes with being new to the job, he has a robust mandate, he has no record to hold against him and, unlike Joe Biden, he can claim to represent the future — at least for five years. It is all the more important to strike a confident note at the outset on defence and in support for the Nato alliance.
Sir Keir Starmer has made clear that he intends to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent, but is not clear when. He has committed the Government to a defence review, but such reviews can take many months when the defence chiefs warn that the armed forces needs are urgent. Of course, reform of defence procurement takes time but there are areas where he can act decisively now.
The first is in bolstering recruitment to the forces, and the individual services should have responsibility for that. More people leave than enter the armed forces and without manpower, posturing is worthless. Our reserves of arms and ammunition are dangerously low.
In drawing up a new defence plan — a better term than review, a euphemism for cuts — we must recognise the changing nature of conflict including cyber-warfare and the breadth of the current crises, from Ukraine to the Red Sea. Yet Sir Keir does not need a review to act urgently now.
Leaking water and funds
Tomorrow, Thames Water bosses go to the regulator Ofwat to ask to put up our bills by 59 per cent over the next five years. It is running on empty: it has £1.8 billion in hand, enough to tide it over 11 months. It loses one litre of water in four from mains leaks. It has £16 billion debt.
There were 16,990 sewage spillages last year. Its bare profit is solely attributable to an increase of 10 per cent in our bills. It is sending letters to customers threatening price hikes if they do not consent to the installation of water meters. Yet boss Chris Weston took a performance-related bonus this year.
The obvious solution to the woes of this crucial but badly run company is to put it in public ownership, but this would distort the nation’s finances at a time of fiscal rigour. The next best thing is to give it enough money to function, on condition it mends the leaks — and hold the bonuses.
Just win
The Prime Minister’s helpful advice to Gareth Southgate for England’s semi-final match with the Netherlands tonight was simple: “win”. And so say all of us.
It would be too much to say that “England expects…” victory but we can hope against hope.
