HEALTH Secretary Wes Streeting has denied that the UK cannot defend itself and said “we are the cornerstone of European defence and security”.
He told the Camilla Tominey Show on GB News: “I think that when it comes to our national defence and security, it is absolutely fair to say that we wouldn’t have chosen to start from here.
“We think the Conservatives eroded our defence spending to far too great an extent. That’s one of the reasons why we’ve invested in defence since coming into government, and the defence investment plan will follow.
“It is not true to say, though, that we can’t defend ourselves. We do work with our allies, our allies in the United States, our allies in France, NATO, and we are the cornerstone of European defence and security.
“So while acknowledging that we need to build that capability in a dangerous and volatile world, I don’t think we should downplay the capability that we do have.
“Secondly, on Chagos, it is fair to say the United States and elements of the administration have changed their position somewhat. We’ve always been clear, as were our Conservative predecessors, actually, until they went into opposition.
“What we’re trying to do is to secure the long term future of the Chagos islands, because they’re essential for Britain’s national security, American national security, and our collective security. And we were always clear that we weren’t going to proceed without the Americans.
“We clearly need to iron out some of those disagreements and difficulties, but we want to make sure that we achieve that deal. And finally, we’ve had our differences with America, some quite fundamental ones, but that doesn’t mean that the relationship is less strong.”
Asked why a Russian oil tanker was allowed to pass through the Channel last week after the government had vowed to seize such vessels, he said: “I’m not going to comment on operational matters, but suffice it to say we are watching very closely what the Russians are up to.
“We’re in no doubt about what Russia is up to, and one of the reasons why Russia has particular beef with this country is because we have been absolutely lockstep in support of Ukraine and mobilising international support for Ukraine across our continent, in Washington, and we put our money where our mouth is when it comes to supporting Ukraine materially.
“We have been a thorn in Russia’s side. That’s why we see these sorts of provocations and Russia behaving in the way that it does. But as I say, I’m not going to provide a running commentary on operational responses to that, but this country has a whole range of capabilities that we can deploy to defend ourselves.”
On data showing that 12-hour waits on trolleys in hospitals has increased under Labour, he said: “It’s certainly true to say we inherited the NHS in the worst crisis in its history. And I do absolutely take responsibility for what happens on our watch.
“I don’t reject for a moment that criticism you’re making about some of the longer waits in A&E. I do take responsibility for that, and I have always and will continue to apologise to people who, under my watch, are not receiving the quality of care and the timeliness of care that I would expect, and for all the improvements we’re seeing in the NHS and we are seeing.
“You know that waiting lists are the lowest in three years. Four-hour waits, the numbers there are the best we’ve seen in four years. We’ve got the fastest ambulance response times in five years.”
