Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper accused Reform UK and the Green party of undermining Britain’s commitment to the NATO alliance, following Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s claims at the Munich Security Conference that the parties were “soft on Russia and weak on Nato.”
Speaking to Sky News, Cooper stated that Britain’s national security depended on international partnerships, and that both Reform and the Greens had weakened that commitment. She specifically cited concerns about Reform UK’s approach to the threat posed by Russia.
“They have refused to have an investigation into Russian interference in their own party despite the fact that their own Welsh leader was convicted of links to Russia,” Cooper said, referring to the conviction of Nathan Gill, a former MEP, for accepting bribes from an individual suspected of having ties to the Kremlin to promote pro-Russian narratives. Cooper as well pointed to instances where Reform had “dismissed the aggression and the threat from Russia,” referencing the employ of lethal poisons in the UK, including the 2018 Salisbury poisoning that resulted in the death of Dawn Sturgess.
The accusations reach after Reform UK leader Nigel Farage defended his past assertion that Western expansion of the EU and NATO provoked Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. In a recent appearance on the BBC Radio 4’s “Political Thinking” podcast, Farage maintained his position, stating he had been “right” to produce the claim and expressing surprise at the criticism he received. He characterized the 2014 Ukrainian revolution as a “street coup” and suggested it destabilized the region. However, Farage stated last year that Ukraine should join NATO and that his party supports increased UK defence spending.
Labour’s criticism of the Green party centered on leader Zack Polanski’s position on NATO. While Polanski affirmed his commitment to Article 5 – the principle of collective defence – he left open the possibility of leaving the alliance. He suggested a potential shift in policy, advocating for reduced reliance on American weapons and a broader reassessment of the UK’s defence alliance with the United States.
Starmer’s initial remarks at the Munich Security Conference warned of “peddlers of easy answers” on the political extremes who were willing to compromise national security for ideological reasons. He urged allies to “stand up and fight” for their values, warning of the consequences of “division and then capitulation.”
The Prime Minister’s comments came as military officials privately expressed concern over the timeline for increasing UK defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, a commitment agreed upon by NATO allies. They argue that the nearly decade-long timeframe is insufficient given the escalating threat from Russia and the need for European nations to bolster their defence capabilities as the United States potentially shifts its focus elsewhere.
