Top union leader demands Burnham commits to 2030 defense spending target

Por Dan Bloom — POLITICOPolitics » POLITICO

BRIGHTON, England — The U.K. government must commit to spending 3 percent of GDP on defense by 2030, one of Britain’s most powerful union leaders told POLITICO.

Sharon Graham, general secretary of the Unite union, said in an interview that the U.K. has been “running our hand across our mouth in defense for ages” and that the defense industry must form part of a “proper plan for the reindustrialization of Britain.”

Graham, whose union represents 1.2 million members, including many in the sector, added: “I’m in conversations with members and employers in defense, and these people are making decisions now about whether they stay in Britain.”

Her comments add to existing pressure from military figures on new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, and his Chancellor John Healey, to commit to a target of 3 percent by 2030.

Healey resigned as Keir Starmer’s defense secretary claiming the Treasury was moving too slowly on defense spending. He said at the time the U.K. should be spending 3% of GDP on defense by 2030. However, since becoming Burnham’s finance chief, Healey has refused to make that commitment himself.

Instead, he plans to set out a date for defense spending reaching 3 percent as part of a spending review next year. That spending review will also set out the detail of how Britain intends to hit a longer-term goal of 3.5 percent by 2035.

Graham argued that skills such as fighter jet assembly will be lost from Britain if defense investment slips. “The point I’ve made to Andy Burnham on many an occasion is that working-class people in Britain feel that their best days are behind them,” she said. “We’ve got to show that the best days are in front of them. That means jobs. That means good wages. That means obviously that we invest in Britain, and you’re going to have to find a way to pay for it.”

Graham spoke ahead of a clash at the trade unions’ annual conference between left-wing campaigning unions and those representing workers in the defense sector.

Delegates will vote Wednesday on a motion from the University and College Union calling for “wages not weapons” and for investment to be “prioritized” in public services.

“This is a false choice,” said Graham. “I think it’s unfortunate that we are pitting workers against workers instead of making the argument that both of these things are possible.”

Mike Clancy, the general secretary of the Prospect union that also represents defense workers, added: “It is unfortunate that some unions seem intent on making this an issue which will cause controversy at Congress.”

Fonte: POLITICOPolitics » POLITICO